"IN the capital of one of the richest and most extensive provinces of the great empire of China there lived a tailor whose name was Mustapha. The profits of his trade barely sufficed for the subsistence of himself, his wife, and the one son whom Heaven had sent him. "This son, whose name was Aladdin, had been brought up in a very negligent manner, and had been so much left to himself that he had contracted many very bad habits. He was obstinate, disobedient, and mischievous, and regarded nothing his father or mother said to him.
"When he was old enough to learn a trade, his father, who was too poor to have him taught any other business than his own, took him to his shop, and began to show him how to use his needle. But neither kindness nor the fear of punishment could restrain Aladdin's volatile and restless disposition, nor could his father succeed in making him attend to his work. No sooner was Mustapha's back turned than Aladdin was off, and returned no more during the whole day. His father frequently chastised him, but Aladdin remained incorrigible; and with great sorrow Mustapha was obliged at last to abandon him to his idle course. This conduct of his son's gave him great pain; and the vexation of not being able to induce young Aladdin to pursue a proper and reputable course of life, brought on a virulent disease, that put a period to Mustapha's existence.
"As Aladdin's mother saw that her son would never follow the trade of his father, she shut up Mustapha's shop, and sold off all his stock. Upon the sum thus realized, added to what she would earn by spinning cotton, she and her son subsisted.
"Aladdin was now no longer restrained by the dread of his father's anger; and so regardless was he of his mother's advice, that he even threatened her whenever she attempted to remonstrate with him. He gave himself completely up to idleness. He pursued this course of life till he was fifteen years old, without showing the least token of good feeling of any sort, and without making the slightest reflection upon what was to be his future lot. Affairs were in this state when, as he was one day playing with his companions in one of the public places, a stranger who was going by stopped and looked attentively at him.
"This stranger was a magician, so learned and famous for his skill that by way of distinction he was called the African Magician.
"Whether this African Magician, who was well skilled in physiognomy, thought he saw in the countenance of Aladdin signs of a disposition well suited to the purpose for which he had undertaken a long journey, or whether he had any other project in view, is uncertain; but he very cleverly obtained information concerning Aladdin's family, discovered who he was, and ascertained the sort of character and disposition he possessed. When he had made himself master of these particulars he went up to the youngster, and, taking him aside, asked him if his father was not called Mustapha, and whether he was not a tailor by trade. 'Yes, sir,' replied Aladdin; 'but he has been dead a long time.'
"On hearing this the African Magician threw his arms round Aladdin's neck, and embraced and kissed him repeatedly, while the tears ran from his eyes. Aladdin, who observed his emotion, asked him what reason he had to weep. 'Alas! my child, 'replied the magician, 'how can I refrain? I am your uncle: your father was my most excellent brother. I have been travelling hither for several years; and at the very instant of my arrival in this place, when I was congratulating myself upon the prospect of seeing him, you inform me of his death. How can I be so unfeeling as not to give way to the most violent grief when I thus find myself deprived of all my expected pleasure? He then asked Aladdin where his mother lived; and when Aladdin had informed him, the African Magician gave him a handful of small money, saying to him: 'My son, go to your mother, make my respects to her, and tell her that I will come and see her to-morrow, that I may have the consolation of seeing the spot where my good brother lived so many years, and where his career closed at last.'
"As soon as the African Magician had quitted him, Aladdin ran to his mother, highly delighted with the money that had been given him. 'Pray tell me, mother, 'he cried as he entered the house, 'whether I have an uncle.' 'No, my child,' replied she, 'you have no uncle, either on your poor father's side or on mine.' 'For all that,' answered the boy, 'I have just seen a man who told me he was my father's brother and my uncle. He even wept and embraced me when I told him of my father's death. And to prove to you that he spoke the truth,' added he, showing her the money which he had received, 'see what he has given me! He bade me also be sure and give his kindest greeting to you, and to say that he would come and see you himself to-morrow, as he was very desirous of beholding the house where my father lived and died.' ' It is true, indeed, my son,' replied Aladdin's mother, 'that your father had a brother once; but he has been dead a long tune, and I never heard your father mention any other.'
"The next day the African Magician again accosted Aladdin while he was playing with three other boys. He embraced him as before, and putting two pieces of gold in his hand, said to him: 'Take this, my boy, and carry it to your mother. Tell her that I intend to come and sup with her this evening, and that I send this money that she may purchase what is necessary for our entertainment; but first inform me in what quarter of the city I shall find your house.' Aladdin gave him the necessary information, and the magician took his departure.
"Aladdin carried home the two pieces of gold to his mother; and, when he had told her of his supposed uncle's intention, she went out and purchased a large supply of good provisions. And as she did not possess a sufficient quantity of china or earthenware to hold all her purchases, she went and borrowed what she wanted of her neighbours. When everything was ready, she desired Aladdin to go out into the street, and if he saw his uncle, to show him the way.
"Although Aladdin had pointed out to the magician the exact situation of his mother's house, he was nevertheless very ready to go; but just as he reached the door he heard some one knock. Aladdin instantly opened the door, and saw the African Magician, who had several bottles of wine in his hands, that they might all regale themselves.
"When the visitor had given to Aladdin all the things he had brought, he paid his respects to the boy's mother, and requested her to show him the place where his brother Mustapha had been accustomed to sit upon the sofa. She pointed it out, and he immediately prostrated himself before it and kissed the sofa several times. 'Alas, my poor brother!' he exclaimed, 'how unfortunate am I not to have arrived in time to embrace you once more before you died!' The mother of Aladdin begged this pretended brother to sit in the place her husband used to occupy. ' No,' he cried, 'I will do no such thing. Give me leave, however, to seat myself opposite, that if I am deprived of the pleasure of seeing him here in person, I may at least look at the spot and try to imagine him present.' Aladdin's mother pressed him no further, but permitted him to take whatever seat he chose.
"When the African Magician had seated himself, he began to enter into conversation with Aladdin's mother. 'Do not be surprised, my good sister,' he said, 'that you have never seen me during the whole time you have been married to my late brother Mustapha, of happy memory. It is full forty years since I left this country, of which, like my brother, I am a native. In the course of this long period I have travelled through India, Persia, Arabia, Syria, and Egypt; and, after passing a considerable time in all the finest and most remarkable cities in those countries, I went into Africa, where I resided for many years. At last, as it is the most natural disposition of man never to forget his native country, nor lose the recollection of his family, his friends, and the companions of his youth, the desire of seeing mine took so powerful a hold on my mind, that I felt sufficiently bold once more to undergo the fatigue of this long journey. I therefore began my travels. It is useless to say how long I was thus employed, or to enumerate the various obstacles I had to encounter before I came to the end of my labours. But nothing so much mortified me or gave me so much pain as the intelligence of the death of my poor brother, whom I tenderly loved. I have recognized almost every feature of his countenance in the face of my nephew.'
"The magician, who perceived that Aladdin's mother was very much affected at this conversation about her husband, now changed the subject, and, turning towards Aladdin, asked him his name. 'I am called Aladdin,' he answered. 'And pray, Aladdin,' said the magician, 'what is your occupation? Have you learned any trade?'
"At this speech Aladdin was much disconcerted; but his mother, seeing this, answered for him. 'Aladdin,' she said, ‘is a very idle boy. His father did all he could to make him learn his business, but could not get him to work; and since my husband's death, in spite of everything I can say, Aladdin will learn nothing, but leads the idle life of a vagabond. He knows very well that his father left us nothing to live upon; he can see that though I pass the whole day in spinning cotton, I can hardly get bread for us to eat. In short, I am resolved soon to turn him out of doors, and make him seek a livelihood where he can find it.'
"As she spoke these words, the woman burst into tears. 'This is not right, Aladdin,' said the African Magician. 'Dear nephew, you must think of supporting yourself, and working for your bread. There are many trades you might learn: consider if there be not any one you have an inclination for in preference to the rest. Perhaps the business which your father followed displeases you, and you would rather be brought up to some other calling. If you have any objection to learning a trade, and yet wish to grow up as a respectable and honest man, I will procure you a shop, and furnish it with rich stuffs and fine linens. You shall sell the goods, and with the profits that you make you shall buy other merchandise; and in this manner you will pass your life very respectably. Consult your own inclinations, and tell me candidly what you think of the plan.'
"This offer greatly flattered the vanity of Aladdin; and he was the more averse to any manual industry, because he knew well enough that the shops which contained goods of this sort were much frequented, and the merchants themselves well dressed and highly esteemed. He therefore hinted to the magician that he thought very favourably of this plan. 'Since this employment is agreeable to you,' replied the magician, 'I will take you with me to-morrow and have you properly and handsomely dressed, as becomes one of the richest merchants of this city; and then we will procure a shop of the description I have named.'
"Aladdin's mother, who till now had not been convinced that the magician was really the brother of her husband, no longer doubted the truth of his statement when she heard all the good he promised to do her son. She thanked him most sincerely for his kind intentions; and charging Aladdin to behave himself so as to prove worthy of the good fortune his uncle had led him to expect, she served up the supper. During the meal the conversation turned on the same subject, and continued till the magician, perceiving that the night was far advanced, took leave of Aladdin and his mother, and retired.
"The magician did not fail to return the next morning according to promise. He took Aladdin away with him, and brought the lad to a merchant's where ready-made clothes were sold, suited to every description of people, and made of the finest stuffs. He made Aladdin try on such as seemed to fit him, and said: 'Dear nephew, choose such as please you best out of this number.' Delighted with the liberality of his new uncle, Aladdin made choice of a garment. The magician bought it, together with everything that was necessary to complete the dress.
"When Aladdin saw himself thus handsomely dressed, he overwhelmed his uncle with thanks; the magician on his part again promised to continue to aid and protect him. He then conducted Aladdin to the most frequented parts of the city, particularly to the quarter where the shops of the most opulent merchants were situated; and when he had come to the street where fine stuffs and linens were sold in the shops, he said to Aladdin, 'You will soon become a merchant like those who keep these shops. It is proper that you should frequent this place, and become acquainted with them.' After this he took him to the largest and most noted mosques, to the khans where the foreign merchants lived, and through every part of the sultan's palace where he had leave to enter. When they had thus visited all the chief parts of the city they came to the khan where the magician had hired an apartment. They found several merchants with whom he had made some slight acquaintance since his arrival, and whom he had invited to partake of a repast, that he might introduce his pretended nephew to them.
"The entertainment was not over till the evening. Aladdin then wished to take leave of his uncle, and go home. The magician, however, would not suffer him to go alone. He went himself, and conducted Aladdin back to his mother's. When she saw her son so handsomely dressed, the good woman was transported with joy. She invoked a thousand blessings on the magician, who had been at so great an expense on her dear child's account. '0 generous relation,' she exclaimed, 'I know not how to thank you for your great liberality. I thank you with my whole soul. May you live many happy years.'
"'Aladdin,' replied the magician, 'is a good boy. He seems to pay attention to what I say. I have no doubt that we shall make him what we wish. I am sorry for one thing, and that is, that I shall not be able to perform all my promises to-morrow. It is Friday, and on that day all the shops are shut. We will, however, settle all this business the day after to-morrow, and I will come here to-morrow to take Aladdin away with me, and show him the public gardens.' The magician then took his leave and departed. Aladdin, who was delighted at seeing himself so well dressed, was still more pleased at the idea of going to the gardens in the suburbs of the city. He had never been beyond the gates, nor had he seen the neighbouring country, which was really very beautiful and attractive.
"The next morning Aladdin got up very early in order to be ready to set out the very moment his uncle called for him. The moment he saw the magician coming, he went to inform his mother of the fact; then he took leave of her and ran to meet his uncle.
"The magician received Aladdin in the most affectionate manner. 'Come, my good boy,' said he, with a smile, 'I will to-day show you some very fine things.' He led the boy out at a gate that led to some palaces, to each of which there was a beautiful garden, wherein they had the liberty of walking. In the meantime they were advancing into the country, and the cunning magician, who wanted to go still farther, for the purpose of putting into execution a design which he had in his head, went into one of these gardens, and sat down by the side of a large basin of pure water, which received its supply through the jaws of a bronze lion. He then pretended to be very tired, in order to give Aladdin an opportunity of resting. 'My dear nephew,' he said, 'like myself, you must be fatigued. Let us rest ourselves here a little while, and get fresh strength to pursue our walk.'
"When they had seated themselves, the magician took out from a piece of linen cloth which hung from his girdle various sorts of fruits and some cakes. He divided a cake between himself and Aladdin, and gave the youth leave to eat whatever fruit he liked best. While they were refreshing themselves he gave his pretended nephew much good advice, desiring him to associate with intelligent and prudent men, to pay every attention to them, and to profit by their conversation. When they had finished their slight repast they rose, and pursued their way by the side of the gardens. The magician insensibly led Aladdin far beyond the last of these gardens; and they walked on through the country till they came into the region of the mountains.
"Aladdin, who had never in his whole life before taken so long a walk, felt very tired. 'Where are we going, my dear uncle?' said he; 'we have got much farther than the gardens, and I can see nothing but hills and mountains before us. And if we go on any farther I know not whether I shall have strength enough to walk back to the city.' 'Take courage, nephew,' replied his pretended uncle; 'I wish to show you another garden that far surpasses in magnificence all you have hitherto seen.' Aladdin was persuaded to proceed, and the magician led him on a considerable distance, amusing him all the time with entertaining stories.
"At length they came to a narrow valley, situated between two mountains of nearly the same height. This was the very spot to which the magician wished to bring Aladdin, in order to put in execution the grand project that was the sole cause of his journey to China from the extremity of Africa. Presently he said to Aladdin: 'We need go no farther. I shall here unfold to your view some extraordinary things, hitherto unknown to mortals; when you shall have seen them you will thank me a thousand times for having made you an eyewitness of such marvels. I am now going to strike a light; and do you in the meantime collect all the dry sticks and leaves that you can find, in order to make a fire.'
"So many pieces of dried sticks lay scattered about this place that Aladdin had collected more than sufficient for his purpose by the time the magician had lighted his match. He then set them on fire; and as soon as they blazed up the African threw upon them a certain perfume. A thick and dense smoke immediately arose, which seemed to unfold itself at some mysterious words pronounced by the magician, and which Aladdin did not in the least comprehend. A moment afterwards the ground shook slightly, and opening near the spot where they stood, discovered a square stone of about a foot and a half across, with a brass ring fixed in the centre, by which it could be lifted up.
"Aladdin was dreadfully alarmed at these doings, and was about to run away when the magician stopped him in an angry manner, at the same moment giving him a violent blow that felled him to the ground and very nearly knocked some of his teeth out, as appeared from the blood that ran from his mouth. Poor Aladdin, with tears in his eyes and trembling in every limb, got up and exclaimed: 'What have I done to deserve so severe a blow?' 'I have my reasons for it,' replied the magician. 'I am your uncle, and consider myself as your father, therefore you should not question my proceedings. Do not, however, my boy,' added he, in a milder tone of voice, 'be at all afraid: I desire nothing of you but that you obey me most implicitly; and this you must do if you wish to render yourself worthy of the great advantages I mean to afford you.' These fine speeches in some measure calmed the frightened Aladdin; and when the magician saw him less alarmed he said: 'You have observed what I have done by virtue of my perfumes and the words that I pronounced. I must now inform you that under the stone which you see here there is concealed a treasure, which is destined for you, and which will one day render you richer than the most powerful potentates of the earth. It is moreover true that no one in the whole world but you can be permitted to touch or lift up this stone, and go into the region that lies beneath it. Even I myself am not able to approach it and take possession of the treasure which is below it. And, in order to insure your success, you must observe and execute in every respect the instructions I am going to give you. This is a matter of the greatest consequence both to you and myself.
"Overwhelmed with astonishment at every thing he had seen and heard, and full of the idea of this treasure which the magician said was to make him for ever happy, Aladdin forgot everything that had happened. 'Well, my dear uncle,' he exclaimed, as he got up, 'what must I do? Tell me, and I am ready to obey you in everything.' 'I heartily rejoice,' replied the magician, 'that you have made so good a resolution. Come to me, take hold of this ring, and lift up the stone.' 'I am not strong enough, uncle,' said Aladdin; 'you must help me.' 'No, no,' answered the magician, 'you have no occasion for my assistance. You must lift up the stone entirely by yourself. Only pronounce the name of your father and your grandfather, take hold of the ring, and lift it; it will come up without any difficulty.' Aladdin did exactly as the magician told him; he raised the stone without any trouble, and laid it aside.
"When the stone was taken away a small excavation was visible, at the bottom of which there appeared a small door, with steps to go down still lower. 'You must now, my good boy,' said the magician to Aladdin, 'observe exactly every direction I am going to give you. Go down into this cavern; and when you have come to the bottom of the steps, you will perceive an open door, which leads into a large vaulted space divided into three successive halls. In each of these you will see on both sides of you four bronze vases, full of gold and silver; but you must take particular care not to touch any of this treasure. When you get into the first hall, take up your robe, and bind it closely round you. Then be sure you go on to the second without stopping, and from thence in the same manner to the third. Above everything, be very careful not to go near the walls, or even to touch them with your robe; for if any part of your dress comes in contact with them, your instant death will be the consequence. At the end of the third hall there is a door which leads to a garden, planted with beautiful trees, all of which are laden with fruit. Go straight forward and pursue a path which you will perceive, and which will bring you to the foot of a flight of fifty steps, at the top of which there is a terrace. When you have ascended to the terrace, you will observe a niche before you, in which there is a lighted lamp. Take the lamp and extinguish it. Then throw out the wick and the liquid that is in it and put the lamp in your bosom. When you have done this, bring it to me. If you should feel desirous of gathering any of the fruit in the garden you may do so; there is nothing to prevent your taking as much as you please.'
"When the magician had given these directions to Aladdin, he took off a ring which he had on one of his fingers, and put it on the hand of his pretended nephew; telling him at the same time that it was a preservative against every evil that might otherwise happen to him. 'Go,' added he, 'descend boldly. We shall now both of us become immensely rich for the rest of our lives.'
"Aladdin jumped into the opening, and then went on down the steps. He found the three halls, which exactly answered the description the magician had given of them. He passed through them with the greatest precaution possible. He went on to the garden, and without stopping ascended to the terrace. He took the lamp which stood lighted in the niche, threw out its contents, and put it into his bosom. He then came back down the terrace and stopped in the garden to look at the fruit, which he had only seen for an instant as he passed along. The trees of this garden were all laden with the most extraordinary fruit. Each tree bore large balls, and the fruit of each tree had a separate colour. Some were white, others sparkling and transparent like crystal; some were red and of different shades; others green, blue, or violet; and some of a yellowish hue; in short, there were fruits of almost every colour. The white globes were pearls; the sparkling and transparent fruits were diamonds; the deep red were rubies; the green emeralds; the blue turquoises; the violet amethysts; those tinged with yellow sapphires; and all the other coloured fruits varieties of precious stones; and they were all of the largest size, and the most perfect ever seen in the whole world. Aladdin, who knew neither their beauty nor their value, was not at all struck with their appearance, which did not suit his taste as the figs, grapes, and other excellent fruits common in China would have done. As he was not yet of an age to be acquainted with the value of these stones, he thought they were only pieces of coloured glass, and did not therefore attach any importance to them. Yet the variety and contrast of so many beautiful colours, as well as the brilliancy and extraordinary size of these fruits, tempted him to gather some of each kind; and he took so many of every colour, that he filled both his pockets, as well as the two new purses that the magician had bought for him at the time he made him a present of his new dress; and as his pockets, which were already full, could not hold his two purses, he fastened them one on each side of his girdle or sash. He also wrapped some stones in its folds, as it was of silk and made very full. In this manner he carried them so that they could not fall out. He did not even neglect to fill his bosom quite full, putting many of the largest and handsomest between his robe and shirt.
"Laden in this manner with the most immense treasure, but ignorant of its value, Aladdin made his way hastily through the three halls, that he might not make the magician wait too long. Having traversed them with the same caution he had used before, he began to ascend the steps he had come down, and presented himself at the entrance of the cave, where the magician was impatiently waiting for him. As soon as Aladdin perceived him he called out: 'Give me your hand, uncle, to help me up.' 'My dear boy,' replied the magician, ‘you will do better first to give me the lamp, as that will only embarrass you.' 'It is not at all in my way,' said Aladdin, 'and I will give it you when I am out of the cave.' The magician still persisted in demanding the lamp before he helped Aladdin out of the cave; but the latter had in fact so covered it with the fruit of the trees, that he could not readily get at it, and absolutely refused to give it up till he had got out of the cave. The magician was then in such despair at the obstinate refusal of the boy, that at length he fell into the most violent rage. He threw a little perfume on the fire, which he had taken care to keep up; and he had hardly pronounced two magic words when the stone, which served to shut up the entrance to the cavern, returned of its own accord to its place, and the earth covered it exactly in the same way as when the magician and Aladdin first arrived there.
"There is no doubt that this magician was not the brother of Mustapha the tailor, as he had pretended to be, and consequently not the uncle of Aladdin. He was most probably a native of Africa, as that is a country where magic is more studied than in any other. He had given himself up to it from his earliest youth, and after nearly forty years spent in enchantments, he had at length discovered that there was in the world a certain wonderful lamp, the possession of which would make him the most powerful monarch of the universe, if he could succeed in laying hands on it. By a late experiment in geomancy he discovered that this lamp was in a subterranean cave in the middle of China, in the very spot that has just been described. Thoroughly convinced of the truth of this discovery, he had come from the farthest part of Africa, and after a long and painful journey had arrived in the city that was nearest the depository of this treasure. But though the lamp was certainly in the place which he had found out, yet he was not permitted to take it away himself, nor to go in person into the cave where it was. It was absolutely necessary that another person should go down to take it, and then put it into his hands. For this reason he had addressed himself to Aladdin, who seemed to him to be an artless youth, well adapted to perform the service he required of him; and he had resolved as soon as he had got the lamp from the boy, to raise the last fumigation, pronounce the two magic words which produced the effect already seen, and sacrifice poor Aladdin to his avarice and wickedness, that no witness might exist who could say he was in possession of the lamp. The blow he had given Aladdin, as well as the authority he had exercised over him, were only for the purpose of accustoming the youth to fear him, and obey his orders without hesitation, so that when Aladdin had possession of the wonderful lamp he might instantly deliver it to him. But the event disappointed his hopes and expectations, for he was in such haste to sacrifice poor Aladdin, for fear that while he was contesting the matter with him some person might come and make that public which he wished to be kept quite secret, that he completely defeated his own object.
"When the magician found all his hopes and expectations for ever blasted, there remained but one thing that he could do, and that was to return to Africa; and, indeed, he set out on his journey the very same day. He was careful to travel the by-paths, in order to avoid the city where he had met Aladdin. He was also afraid to meet any person who might have seen him walk out with the lad, and come back without him.
"To judge from all these circumstances, it might naturally be supposed that Aladdin was hopelessly lost; and, indeed, the magician himself, who thought he had thus destroyed the boy, had quite forgotten the ring which he had placed on his finger, and which was now to render Aladdin the most essential service, and to save his life. Aladdin knew not the wonderful qualities either of the ring or of the lamp; and it is indeed astonishing that the loss of both these prizes did not drive the magician to absolute despair.
"Aladdin, who did not expect to be thus wickedly deceived by his pretended uncle, after all the kindness and generosity which the latter had shown to him, was in the highest degree astonished at his position. When he found himself thus buried alive, he called aloud a thousand times to his uncle, telling him he was ready to give up the lamp. But all his cries were useless, and having no other means of making himself heard, he remained in perfect darkness, bemoaning his unhappy fate. His tears being at length exhausted, he went down to the bottom of the flight of stairs, intending to go towards the light in the garden where he had before been. But the walls, which had been opened by enchantment, were now shut by the same means. He groped along the walls to the right and left several times, but could not discover the smallest opening. He then renewed his cries and tears, and sat down upon the steps of his dungeon, without the least hope that he should ever again see the light of day, and with the melancholy conviction that he should only pass from the darkness he was now in to the shades of an inevitable and speedy death.
"Aladdin remained two days in this hopeless state, without either eating or drinking. On the third day, regarding his death as certain, he lifted up his hands, and joining them as in the act of prayer, he wholly resigned himself to the will of heaven. In this action of joining his hands he happened, quite unconsciously, to rub the ring which the magician had put upon his finger and of the virtue of which he was as yet ignorant. When the ring was thus rubbed, a genie of enormous stature and a most horrid countenance instantly rose as it were out of the earth before him. This genie was so tall that his head touched the vaulted roof, and he addressed these words to Aladdin: 'What dost thou command? I am ready to obey thee as thy slave-as the slave of him who has the ring on his finger-both I and the other slaves of the ring.'
"On any other occasion, Aladdin would have been so frightened at the sight of this startling figure that he would have been unable to speak; but he was so entirely taken up with the danger and peril of his situation, that he answered without the least hesitation, 'Whoever you are, take me if you can out of this place.' He had scarcely pronounced these words when the earth opened, and he found himself outside the cave, at the very spot to which the magician had brought him. It will easily be understood that, after having remained in complete darkness for so long a time, Aladdin had at first some difficulty in supporting the brightness of open day. By degrees, however, his eyes became accustomed to the light; and on looking round him he was surprised to find not the smallest opening in the earth. He could not comprehend in what manner he had so suddenly emerged from it. But he could recognize the place where the fire had been made. Looking round he descried the city in the distance, surrounded by the gardens, and thus he knew the road he had come with the magician. He returned the same way, thanking Heaven for having again suffered him to behold and revisit the face of the earth, which he had quite despaired of ever seeing more. He arrived at the city, but it was only with great difficulty that he got home. When he was within the door, the joy he experienced at again seeing his mother, added to the weak state he was in from not having eaten anything for the space of three days, made him faint, and it was some time before he came to himself. His mother, who had already mourned for him as lost or dead, used every possible effort to restore him to life. At length he recovered, and the first thing he said to his mother was, 'O my dear mother, bring me something to eat before you do anything else. I have tasted nothing these three days.' His mother instantly set what she had before him. 'My dear child,' said she as she did so, 'do not hurry yourself, for that is dangerous. Eat but little, and that slowly, and you must take great care what you do in your exhausted state.'
"Aladdin followed his mother's advice. He ate slowly and sparingly, and drank with equal moderation. When he had done he said: 'I have great reason, my dear mother, to complain of you for putting me in the power of a man whose object was to destroy me, and who at this very moment supposes my death so certain that he cannot doubt either that I am no longer alive, or at least that I shall not survive another day. But you took him to be my uncle, and I was also equally deceived. Indeed, how could we suspect him of any treachery, when he almost overwhelmed me with his kindness and generosity, and made me so many promises of future advantage? But I must tell you, mother, that he was a traitor, a wicked man, a cheat. He was so good and kind to me only that, after answering his own purpose, he might destroy me. For my part, I can assure you I have not given him the least cause for the bad treatment I have received; and you will yourself be convinced of this from the account I am going to give you of everything that has happened from the moment when I left you till he put his wicked design in execution.'
"Aladdin then related to his mother all that had happened to him. He took the lamp out of his bosom and showed it to his mother, as well as the transparent and different coloured fruits that he had gathered as he returned. He gave the two purses that contained these fruits to his mother, who did not set much value upon them. The fruits were, in fact, precious stones; and the lustre which they threw around them by means of a lamp that hung in the chamber ought to have shown her they were of the greatest value; but the mother of Aladdin knew no more of their value than her son. Aladdin therefore put them all behind one of the cushions of the sofa on which they were sitting.
"Aladdin had no sooner concluded the recital of his adventures than his mother began to abuse the pretended uncle in the strongest terms. She called him a traitor, an assassin, magician, the enemy and destroyer of the human race. 'Yes, my child,' she cried, 'he is a magician; and magicians are public evils! They hold communication with demons by means of their sorceries and enchantments. Blessed be Heaven that has not suffered the wickedness of this wretch to have its full effect upon you! You, too, ought to return thanks for your deliverance.'
"As Aladdin had not been able to take any repose in the subterraneous place in which he had been buried, it is no wonder that he passed the whole of that night in the most profound sleep, and that it was even late the next morning before he awoke. He at last rose, and the first thing he said to his mother was, that he was very hungry, and that she could not oblige him more than by giving him something for breakfast. 'Alas! my child,' replied his mother, 'I have not a morsel of bread to give you. Last night you finished all the trifling store of food there was in the house. But have a little patience, and it shall not be long before I will bring you some. I have here a little cotton I have spun; I will go and sell it, and purchase something for our dinner.' 'Keep your cotton, mother,' said Aladdin, 'for another time, and give me the lamp which I brought with me yesterday. I will go and sell that; and the money it will bring will serve us for breakfast and dinner too-nay, perhaps also for supper.'
"Aladdin's mother took the lamp from the place where she had deposited it. 'Here it is,' she said to her son; ' but it seems to me to be very dirty. If I were to clean it a little perhaps it might sell for something more.' She then took some water and a little fine sand to clean the lamp, but she had scarcely begun to rub it, when instantly, and in the presence of her son, a hideous and gigantic genie rose out of the ground before her, and cried with a voice as loud as thunder: ‘What are thy commands? I am ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of those who have the lamp in their hands; both I and the other slaves of the lamp!' The mother of Aladdin was too much startled to answer this address. She was unable to endure the sight of an apparition so hideous and alarming; and her fears were so great, that as soon as the genie began to speak she fell down in a fainting-fit.
"Aladdin had once before seen a similar appearance in the cavern. He did not lose either his presence of mind or his judgment; but he instantly seized the lamp, and supplied his mother's place, by answering for her in a firm tone of voice: 'I am hungry: bring me something to eat.' The genie disappeared, and returned a moment after with a large silver basin, which he carried on his head, and twelve covered dishes of the same material filled with the choicest meats, and six loaves as white as snow upon as many plates. He carried two bottles of the most excellent wine and two silver cups in his hands. He placed all these things upon the sofa, and instantly vanished.
"All this had occurred in so short a time that Aladdin's mother had not recovered from her fainting-fit before the genie had disappeared the second time. Aladdin, who had before thrown some water over her without any effect, was about to renew his endeavours, but at the very instant she quite recovered.
"'My dear mother,' cried Aladdin, 'there is nothing the matter. Come and eat; here is something that will put you in good spirits again, and at the same time satisfy my hunger.'
"His mother was extremely astonished when she beheld the large basin, the twelve dishes, the six loaves, the two bottles of wine and two cups, and perceived the delicious odour that exhaled from them. '0 my child!' she cried, 'how came all this abundance here? And whom have we to thank for such liberality? The sultan surely cannot have been made acquainted with our poverty, and have had compassion upon us?' 'My good mother,' replied Aladdin, 'come and sit down, and begin to eat; you are as much in want of food as I am. I will tell you everything when we have broken our fast.' They then sat down, and both of them ate with the greater appetite, as neither mother nor son had ever seen a table so well supplied.
"During the repast the mother of Aladdin could not help stopping frequently to look at and admire the basin and dishes, although she was not quite sure whether they were silver or any other metal. Nor, indeed, was her son better informed on the subject than herself. When they had made an end of their repast, they found that enough remained, not only for supper, but even for two meals the next day as plentiful as those they had just made.
"When Aladdin's mother had taken away the things, and put aside what they had not consumed, she came and seated herself on the sofa near her son. 'I now expect, my dear son,' she said, 'that you will satisfy my impatient curiosity, and let me hear the account you have promised me.' Aladdin then related to his mother everything that had passed between him and the genie. At this discourse of her son, and his account of the appearance of the genie, Aladdin's mother was in the greatest astonishment. 'What is this you tell me, child, about your genie?' she exclaimed. 'Never since I was born have I heard of any person of my acquaintance who has seen one. How comes it then, that this villainous genie should have accosted me? Why did he not rather address himself to you, to whom he had before appeared in the subterraneous cavern?'
"'Mother,' replied Aladdin, 'the genie who appeared just now to you is not the same who appeared to me. In some things, indeed, they resemble each other, being both as large as giants; but they are very different both in their countenance and dress, and they belong to different masters. If you recollect, he whom I saw called himself the slave of the ring which I had on my finger; and the genie who appeared to you was the slave of the lamp you had in your hand; but I believe you did not hear him, as you seemed to faint the instant he began to speak.' 'What!' cried his mother, 'was your lamp the reason why this cursed genie addressed himself to me rather than to you? Ah, my son, take the lamp out of my sight, and put it where you please, so that I never touch it again. Indeed, I would rather that you should throw it away or sell it than run the risk of being killed with fright by again touching it. And if you will follow my advice, you will put away the ring as well. We ought to have no commerce with genii.'
"'With your permission, however, my dear mother,' replied Aladdin, ' I shall beware of parting with this lamp, which has already been so useful to us both. Do you not see what it has procured us, and that it will also continue to furnish us with enough for our support? You may easily judge, as I do, that it was not for nothing my wicked pretended uncle gave himself so much trouble and undertook so long and fatiguing a journey. He did all this merely to get possession of this wonderful lamp, which he preferred to all the gold and silver which he knew was in the three halls. And since chance has discovered its virtues to us, let us avail ourselves of them; but we must be careful not to make any parade, lest we draw upon ourselves the envy and jealousy of our neighbours. I will take the lamp out of your sight, and put it where I shall be able to find it whenever I have occasion for it, since you are so much alarmed at the appearance of genii. Again, I cannot make up my mind to throw the ring away. But for this ring you would never have seen me again. You must permit me, therefore, to keep and to wear it always very carefully on my finger. Who can tell if some danger may not again happen to me which neither you nor I can now foresee, and from which the ring may deliver me?' As the arguments of Aladdin appeared very reasonable, his mother had no further objections to make.
"At supper the next evening, the remainder of the provisions the genie had brought was consumed. The following morning, Aladdin, who did not like to wait till hunger pressed him, took one of the silver plates under his robe, and went out early in order to sell it. He addressed himself to a Jew whom he happened to meet. Aladdin took him aside, and showing him the plate, asked if he would buy it.
"The Jew, a clever and cunning man, took the plate and examined it. Directly he had satisfied himself that it was good silver, he desired to know how much the seller expected for it. Aladdin, who knew not its value, merely said that he supposed the Jew knew what the plate was worth, and that he would depend upon the purchaser's honour. Uncertain whether Aladdin was acquainted with its real value or not, the Jew took out of his purse a piece of gold, which was exactly one seventy-second part of the value of the plate, and offered it to Aladdin. The latter eagerly took the money and without staying to say anything more went away so quickly that the Jew was very sorry he had not foreseen Aladdin's ignorance of the value of the plate, and in consequence offered him much less for it.
"On his way home, Aladdin stopped at a baker's shop, where he bought enough bread for his mother and himself, paying for his purchase out of his piece of gold, and receiving the change. When he came home he gave the rest of the money to his mother, who went to the market and purchased as much provision as would last them for several days.
"They thus continued to live quietly and economically till Aladdin had sold all the twelve dishes, one after the other, to the same Jew, exactly as he had sold the first; and then they found they wanted more money. The Jew, who had given Aladdin a piece of gold for the first, dared not offer him less for the other dishes, for fear he might lose so good a customer; he therefore bought them all at the same rate.
When the money for the last plate was expended, Aladdin had recourse to the basin, which was at least ten times as heavy as any of the plates. He wished to carry this to his merchant, but its great weight prevented him; he was obliged, therefore, to seek out the Jew, and bring him to his mother's. After ascertaining the weight of the basin, the Jew counted out ten pieces of gold, with which Aladdin was satisfied.
"While these ten pieces lasted they were devoted to the daily expenses of the house. In the meantime Aladdin spent his days in walking about, or conversing with men whose acquaintance he made.
"When his ten pieces of gold were spent Aladdin had recourse to the lamp. He took it up and looked for the particular spot that his mother had rubbed. As he easily perceived the place where the sand had touched the lamp, he applied his hand to the same spot, and the genie whom he had before seen instantly appeared. But as Aladdin had rubbed the lamp more gently than his mother had done, the genie spoke to him in a softened tone. 'What are thy commands,' said he, in the same words as before. 'I am hungry,' cried Aladdin: 'bring me something to eat.' The genie disappeared, and in a short time returned, loaded with a service similar to that which he had brought before. He placed it upon the sofa, and vanished in an instant.
"Aladdin and his mother immediately took their seats at the table, and after they finished their repast there still remained sufficient food to last them two whole days.
"When Aladdin again found that all his provisions were gone, and he had no money to purchase any, he took one of the silver dishes, and went to look for the Jew who had bought the former dishes of him, intending to deal with him again. As he walked along he happened to pass the shop of a goldsmith, a respectable old man, whose probity and general honesty were unimpeachable. The goldsmith, who perceived him, called to him to come into the shop. 'My son,' said he, 'I have often seen you pass this way, loaded as you are now, and each time you have spoken to a certain Jew; and then I have seen you come back again empty-handed. It has struck me that you went and sold him what you carried. But perhaps you do not know that this Jew is a very great cheat, and that no one who knows him will have any dealings with him? Now, I have merely a proposition to make to you. If you will show me what you are now carrying, and if you are going to sell it, I will faithfully give you what it is worth, if it be anything in my way of business; if not, I will introduce you to other merchants who will deal honestly with you.'
"The hope of getting a better price for his silver plate induced Aladdin to take it out from under his robe, and show it to the goldsmith. The old man, who knew at first sight that the plate was of the finest silver, asked him if he had sold any like this to the Jew, and if so, how much he had received for them. Aladdin plainly told him that he had sold twelve, and that the Jew had given him a piece of gold for each. 'Out upon the thief !' cried the merchant. 'However, my son, what is done cannot be undone, and let us think of it no more; but I will let you see what your dish, which is made of the finest silver we ever use in our shops, is really worth, and then you will understand to what extent the Jew has cheated you.'
"The goldsmith took his scales, weighed the dish, and after explaining to Aladdin how much a mark of silver was, he made him observe that, valued according to weight, the plate was worth seventy-two pieces of gold, which he immediately counted out to him. ' This,' said he, 'is the exact value of your plate; if you doubt what I say, you may go to any of our goldsmiths, and if you find that he will give you more for it, I promise to forfeit double the sum. We make our profit by the fashion or workmanship of the goods we buy in this manner.' Aladdin thanked the goldsmith for the good and profitable advice he had given him; and for the future he carried his dishes to no one else. He took the basin also to this goldsmith's shop, and received the value according to its weight.
"Although Aladdin and his mother had an inexhaustible source of money in their lamp, and could procure what they wished whenever they wanted anything, they continued to live with the same frugality they had always shown, except that Aladdin devoted a small sum to innocent amusements, and to procuring some things that were necessary in the house. Thus mother and son lived very happily together for many years, with the profitable assistance which Aladdin occasionally procured from the lamp.
'"During this interval Aladdin resorted frequently to those places where persons of distinction were to be met with. He visited the shops of the most considerable merchants in gold and silver stuffs, in silks, fine linens, and jewellery; and, by sometimes taking part in their conversation, he insensibly acquired the style and manners of good company. By frequenting the jewellers' shops he learned how erroneous was the idea he had formed that the transparent fruits he had gathered in the garden whence he took the lamp were only coloured glass: he now knew their value, for he was convinced that they were jewels of inestimable price. He had acquired this knowledge by observing all kinds of precious stones that were bought and sold in the shops; and as he did not see any stones that could be compared with those he possessed, either in brilliancy or in size, he concluded that he had really procured a most invaluable treasure. He had, however, the prudence not to mention this discovery to any one, not even to his mother, and doubtless it was in consequence of his silence that he afterwards rose to the great good fortune to which we shall in the end see him elevated.
"One day as he was walking abroad in the city, Aladdin heard the criers reading a proclamation of the sultan, ordering all persons to shut up their shops, and retire into their houses, until the Princess Badroulboudour (The name Badroulboudour signifies "The Full Moon among full moons."), the daughter of the sultan, had passed by on her way to the bath, and had returned to the palace.
"The casual hearing of this order created in Aladdin a curiosity to see the princess unveiled; but this he could only accomplish by going to some house whose inmates he knew, and by looking through the lattices. This plan, however, by no means satisfied him, because the princess usually wore a veil as she went to the bath. He thought at last of a scheme which proved completely successful. He went and hid himself behind the door of the bath, which was so constructed that he could not fail to see the face of every one who passed through it.
"Aladdin had not waited long in his place of concealment before the princess made her appearance; and he saw her perfectly well without being himself seen. The princess was accompanied by a great crowd of women and eunuchs, who walked on either side of her, while others followed her. When she had come within three of four paces of the door of the bath she lifted up the veil which had concealed her face, and
thus gave Aladdin an opportunity of seeing her quite at his ease as she approached the door.
"Till this moment Aladdin had never seen any woman without her veil, except his mother, who was rather old, and who, even in her youth, had not possessed any beauty. He was therefore incapable of forming any judgment respecting the attractions of women.
"The appearance of the Princess Badroulboudour dispelled the notion Aladdin had entertained that all women resembled his mother. His opinions underwent an entire change, and his heart could not help surrendering itself to the object whose appearance had captivated him. The princess was, in fact, the most beautiful brunette ever seen. Her eyes were large, well shaped, and full of fire; yet the expression of her countenance was sweet and modest. Her nose was pretty and properly proportioned; her mouth small; her lips were like vermilion, and beautifully formed; in short, every feature of her face was perfectly lovely and regular. It is, therefore, by no means wonderful that Aladdin was dazzled at beholding a combination of charms to which he had hitherto been a stranger. Besides all these perfections, this princess had an elegant figure and a most majestic air.
"Long after she had passed him and entered the bath, Aladdin stood still like a man entranced, retracing and impressing more strongly on his own mind the image by which he had been charmed, and which had penetrated to the very bottom of his heart. At last he came to himself; and recollecting that the princess was gone, and that it would be perfectly useless for him to linger in the hope of seeing her come out, as she would then be veiled, he determined to quit his post and retire.
"When he came home Aladdin was unable to conceal his disquietude from the observation of his mother. She was very much surprised to see him appear so melancholy, and to notice the embarrassment of his manner. She asked him if anything had happened to him, or if he were unwell. He gave her no answer whatever, but continued sitting on the sofa, entirely taken up in retracing in his imagination the lovely image of the Princess Badroulboudour.
"Aladdin passed a wakeful night, occupied by thoughts of the beauty and charms of the Princess Badroulboudour; but the next morning, as he was sitting upon the sofa opposite his mother, he addressed her in the following words: 'O my mother, I will now break the long silence I have kept since my return from the city yesterday morning. I was not ill as you seemed to think, nor is anything the matter with me now; yet I can assure you that the pain I at this moment feel, and which I shall ever continue to feel, is much worse than any disease.
"'It was not proclaimed in this quarter of the city,' continued Aladdin, 'and therefore you of course have not heard that the Princess Badroulboudour, the daughter of our sultan, went to the bath after dinner yesterday. As I was not far from the bath at the time, the desire I felt to see the face of the princess made me take it into my head to place myself behind the door of the bath supposing that she might take off her veil just before she went into the building. She did take off her veil as she passed in, and I had the supreme happiness and satisfaction of seeing this beautiful princess. This, my dear mother, is the true cause of the state you saw me in yesterday, and the reason of the silence I have hitherto kept. I feel such a violent affection for this princess, that I know no terms strong enough to express it; and as my ardent love for her increases every instant, I am convinced it can only be satisfied by the possession of the amiable Princess Badroulboudour, whom I have resolved to ask in marriage of the sultan.'
"Aladdin's mother listened with great attention to this speech of her son's till he came to the last sentence; but when she heard that it was his intention to demand the Princess Badroulboudour in marriage, she could not help bursting into a violent fit of laughter. 'Alas! my son,' she cried, 'what are you thinking of? You must surely have lost your senses to talk thus.' 'Dear mother,' replied Aladdin, 'I do assure you I have not lost my senses. I foresaw very well that you would reproach me with folly and madness; but whatever you may say, nothing will prevent me from again declaring to you that my resolution to demand the Princess Badroulboudour of the sultan, in marriage, is absolutely unchangeable.'
"'In truth, my son,' replied his mother, very seriously, 'I cannot help telling you that you seem entirely to have forgotten who you are; and even if you are determined to put this resolution in practice, I do not know who will have the audacity to carry your message to the sultan.' 'You yourself must do that,' answered he instantly, without the least hesitation. 'I!' cried his mother, with the strongest marks of surprise, 'I go to the Sultan!-not I indeed. Nothing shall induce me to engage in such an enterprise. Have you forgotten that you are the son of one of the poorest tailors in this city? Do you not know that sultans do not deign to bestow their daughters even upon the sons of other sultans, unless the suitors have some chance of succeeding to the throne?'
"'My dear mother,' replied Aladdin, 'neither your reasons nor remonstrances will in the least change my resolution. I have told you that I would demand the Princess Badroulboudour in marriage, and that you must impart my wish to the sultan. It is a favour which I entreat at your hands and I beg you not to refuse me, unless you would see me die, whereas by granting it you will give me life, as it were, a second time.'
"Aladdin's mother was very much embarrassed when she saw with what obstinacy her son persisted in his mad design. 'My dear son,' she said, 'I am your mother, and I am ready to do anything that is reasonable and suited to your situation in life and my own, and to undertake anything for your sake. If this business were merely to ask in marriage the daughter of any of our neighbours whose condition was similar to yours, I would not object. But to hope for success, even with the daughter of one of our neighbours, you ought to possess some little fortune, or at least to be master of some business. But you, regardless of the lowness of your birth, and of your want of merit or fortune, at once aspire to the highest prize, and pretend to nothing less than to ask in marriage the daughter of your sovereign, who has but to open his lips to blast all your designs and destroy you at once.'
"'I will not,' continued Aladdin's mother, 'speak of the probable consequences of this business to you: you ought to reflect upon them if you have any reason left; but I will only consider my own position. Now, suppose that I have the impudence to present myself before his majesty, and make such a mad request of him, to whom should I in the first place address myself to obtain admission to his presence? Do you not see that the very first person I spoke to would treat me as a madwoman, and drive me back with all the indignity and contempt I should so justly merit? But even if I overcame this difficulty, and procured an audience of the sultan, what should I do then? Are you in a position to bring forward your request? Do you think that you deserve the favour which you wish me to ask for you? How can I even open my lips to propose such a thing to the sultan? His illustrious presence and the magnificence of his whole court will instantly strike me dumb with shame. But there is another reason, my son, which you have not yet thought of; and that is, that no one ever appears before the sultan without offering him some present when a favour is sought at his hands. Presents have at least this advantage, that if the monarch refuses your request, he will listen patiently to what you have to say. But what present have you to offer him? Be reasonable, and reflect that you aspire to a thing it is impossible to obtain.'
"Aladdin listened with the greatest patience to all these representations by which his mother sought to dissuade him from his purpose; and addressed her in these words: 'I readily acknowledge to you, my dear mother, that it is a great piece of rashness in me to dare to aspire so high as I do; and that it is also very inconsiderate in me to request you with so much earnestness and warmth to go and propose this marriage to the sultan, I love the Princess Badroulboudour far beyond anything you can possibly conceive, and shall for ever persevere in my wish and intention of marrying her. I thank you sincerely for the hints you have given me.
"'You say that it is not customary to request an audience of the sultan without carrying a present in your hand, and tell me that I have nothing worthy of offering him. I agree with you about the present, and indeed I never once thought of it. But when you tell me I have nothing worthy of his acceptance, I must say you are wrong. Do you not suppose, mother, that the coloured fruits I brought home with me, on the day when I was saved from an almost inevitable death, would be an acceptable present to the sultan? I mean those things which we thought were pieces of coloured glass. I know their value better now, and can inform you that they are precious stones of inestimable worth, and worthy the acceptance of a great sovereign. All the gems which I have seen at our jewellers' are not to be compared with those we have either for size or beauty, and yet they are very highly valued. As I can judge from the little experience I have, I feel assured the present cannot but be very agreeable to the sultan. You have a porcelain dish of a very good shape and size for holding them. Bring it to me, and let us see how the stones will look when we have arranged them according to their different colours.'
"Aladdin's mother brought the dish, and he took the precious stones out of the two purses and arranged them upon it. The effect they produced in broad daylight, by the variety of their colours, their lustre, and brilliancy, was so great that both mother and son were absolutely dazzled and astonished.
"When they had for some time admired the beauty of the present, Aladdin resumed the conversation in these words: 'You cannot now excuse yourself any longer from going and presenting yourself to the sultan upon the plea that you have nothing to offer him. Here is a present which, in my opinion, will procure for you a most favourable reception.'
"Notwithstanding its great beauty and brilliancy, Aladdin's mother had no high opinion of the value of her son's present; still she supposed it would be very acceptable. She was, therefore aware that she could make no further objection on this score. She again recurred to the nature of the request which Aladdin wished her to make to the sultan. 'I cannot, my son,' she said, 'possibly believe that this present will produce the effect you wish, and that the sultan will look upon you with a favourable eye. Then, if you choose me for your messenger, it becomes necessary for me to acquit myself with propriety in the business you wish me to undertake. I shall be struck quite dumb, and thus not only lose all my labour, but the present also, and after all I shall have to come back and inform you of the destruction of all your hopes and expectations.'
"Aladdin's mother continued to urge upon her son many other reasons which should have made him change his mind; but the charms of the Princess Badroulboudour had made too strong an impression upon Aladdin to suffer him to alter his intentions. He persisted in requiring his mother to perform her part in his scheme; and the affection she had for him at length conquered her repugnance, and she promised to do as he bade her.
"Aladdin and his mother talked of nothing else during the rest of the day. Next day Aladdin rose at daybreak, and went immediately to call his mother. He was anxious that she should dress herself as soon as possible, that she might repair to the gate of the sultan's palace, and enter when the grand vizier, and all the officers of state went into the hall of audience, where the sultan always presided in person.
"Aladdin's mother did exactly as her son wished. She took the porcelain dish in which the present of jewels had been arranged, and folded it up in a very fine white linen cloth. Thereupon she set out, to the great joy of Aladdin, and took the road towards the palace of the sultan. The grand vizier, accompanied by the other officers of the court, had already gone into the hall of audience before she arrived at the gate. The crowd was very great. The doors were opened, and Aladdin's mother went into the divan with the rest. Aladdin's mother stopped, and placed herself so that she was opposite the sultan, the grand vizier, and other officers who formed the council. The different applicants were called up one after the other, according to the order in which .their petitions had been presented; and their different cases were heard, pleaded, and determined till the usual hour for breaking up the council. The sultan then rose, saluted the court, and went back to his apartment, followed by the grand vizier. The other viziers and officers who formed the council then went their various ways. All the applicants whose private business had brought them there did the same.
"Aladdin's mother, who saw the sultan get up and retire, rightly imagined that he would not appear any more that day; and, as she observed that every one was going away, she determined to return home. When Aladdin saw her come back with the present in her hand, he knew not at first what to think of the success of her journey. The good woman, who had never before set her foot within the walls of a palace, and who of course knew nothing of the customs of such places, very soon relieved her son from his embarrassment, by saying with a satisfied air: 'I have seen the sultan, my son, and I am certain he has seen me also. I placed myself directly opposite to him, and there was no person in the way to prevent his seeing me; but he was so much engaged in speaking with those who stood around him, that I really felt compassion when I saw the patience and kindness with which he listened to them. This lasted so long, that I believe at length he was quite worn out; for he got up before any one expected it, and retired very suddenly, without staying to hear a great number of persons who were all ranged in readiness to address him in their turn. But do not lose heart. I will not fail to go again to-morrow: the sultan will not then, perhaps, have so much business on his hands.'
"However violent Aladdin's passion was, he felt compelled to be satisfied with this answer, and to summon up all his patience. He had at least the satisfaction of knowing that his mother had got over a most difficult part of the business, and had penetrated into the presence of the sultan; and he therefore hoped that she would not hesitate to acquit herself of the commission with which she was entrusted when the favourable moment for addressing the sultan should arrive.
"The next morning Aladdin's mother set out for the sultan's palace, carrying with her the present of jewels; but again her journey was useless. She returned again to the palace six different times on the appointed days, always placing herself opposite the sultan. But she was each time as unsuccessful as at first; and she would have gone probably a hundred tunes with as little result, if the sultan, who saw her standing opposite him every day the divan sat, had not taken notice of her.
"One day, however, when the council had broken up and the sultan had retired to his apartment, he said to his grand vizier: 'For some time past I have observed a certain woman who comes regularly every day when I hold my council, and who carries something in her hand wrapped in a linen cloth. She always takes care to place herself opposite to me. Do you know what she wants?'
"The grand vizier, who did not wish to appear ignorant of the matter, though in fact he knew no more about it than the sultan himself, replied: 'Your majesty must be aware that women often make complaints upon the most trivial subjects. Probably she has come to your majesty with some complaint against a person who has sold her some bad meat, or on some equally insignificant matter.' This answer, however, did not satisfy the sultan. 'The very next day the council sits,' said he to the grand vizier, 'if this woman returns, do not fail to call her, that I may hear what she has to say.'
"The mother of Aladdin returned to the palace the next day the council met, and placed herself opposite the sultan.
"The grand vizier had scarcely begun to make his usual report, when the sultan perceived Aladdin's mother. Touched with compassion at the great patience she had shown, he said to the grand' vizier: 'In the first place, do you not observe the woman whom I mentioned to you the other day? Order her to come here, and we will begin by hearing what she has to say, and giving her an answer.' The grand vizier immediately pointed out the woman in question to the chief of the ushers, and desired him to go and bring her before the sultan. The officer went directly to the mother of Aladdin; and at a sign he made she followed him to the foot of the throne.
"Following the example set her by many others whom she had seen approach the sultan, Aladdin's mother prostrated herself, and she remained in that position till the sultan commanded her to rise. She obeyed, and he then addressed her in these words: 'For this long time past, good woman, I have seen you regularly attend my divan, and remain near the entrance from the time the council begins to assemble till it breaks up. What is the business that brings you here?' Aladdin's mother answered thus: 'O gracious monarch, before I inform your majesty of the extraordinary and almost incredible cause that compels me to appear before your sublime throne, I entreat you to pardon the boldness of the request I am about to make. It is of so uncommon a nature that I tremble, and feel almost overcome with shame, to think that I should have to propose it to my sultan.' To give the applicant full liberty to explain herself, the sultan commanded every one to leave the divan, and remained with only his grand vizier in attendance. He then told her she might speak, and exhorted her to tell the truth without fear.
"The kindness of the sultan, however, did not perfectly satisfy Aladdin's mother. She was still anxious to screen herself from the indignation which she could not but dread the proposal she had to make would excite. 'O mighty sovereign,' said she, again addressing the sultan, 'I once more entreat your majesty to assure me of your pardon beforehand, in case you should think my request at all injurious or offensive.' 'Whatever it may be,' replied the sultan, 'I pardon you in advance. Speak, therefore, with confidence.'
"Aladdin's mother faithfully related to the sultan by what means Aladdin had seen the Princess Badroulboudour, and with what a violent passion the sight of the princess had inspired him. She told how he had declared this attachment to her, and repeated every remonstrance she had urged to avert his thoughts from this passion. 'A passion,' added she, ‘as injurious to your majesty as to the princess your daughter. But,' she went on to say, 'my son would not listen to anything I could say, nor acknowledge his temerity. And once more I entreat your majesty to pardon not only me for making such a request, but also my son Aladdin, for having conceived the rash and daring thought of aspiring to so illustrious an alliance.'
"The sultan listened to this speech with the greatest patience and good humour, and showed not the least mark of anger at the extraordinary request of Aladdin's mother. Before he returned any answer he asked her what she had with her tied up in a cloth. Upon this Aladdin's mother took up the porcelain dish, which she had set down at the foot of the throne. She removed the linen cloth, and presented the dish to the sultan.
"It is impossible to express the utter astonishment of the monarch when he saw collected together in that dish such a quantity of the most precious, perfect, and brilliant jewels, greater in size and value than any he had ever seen. When he began to recollect himself, he took the present from the hand of Aladdin's mother, and exclaimed, in a transport of joy: 'Ah! how very beautiful, how glorious is this!' And then, after admiring the jewels separately, he turned to his grand vizier, and showing him the dish, asked him if jewels so perfect and valuable had ever been seen before. The vizier was himself delighted with the jewels. 'Tell me,' added the sultan, 'what do you say to such a present? Is not the donor worthy of the princess my daughter? and must not I give her to him who comes and demands her at such a price?'
"This speech of the sultan's was very disagreeable to the grand vizier, because the monarch had some time before given that minister to understand that he had an intention of bestowing the hand of the princess upon the vizier's only son. Therefore the vizier was fearful that the sultan would be dazzled by the rich and extraordinary present, and would, in consequence, alter his mind. He therefore approached the sultan, and whispered the following words in his ear: 'O great monarch, every one must allow that this present is not unworthy of the princess; but I entreat you to grant me three months before you absolutely determine to bestow her hand. I hope that long before that time my son, for whom you have the condescension to express to me great inclination, will be able to offer a much more considerable present than that of Aladdin, who is an entire stranger to your majesty.' Although the sultan in his own mind was quite convinced that it was not possible for his grand vizier's son to make so valuable a present to the princess, he nevertheless granted the delay requested. Thereupon he turned towards Aladdin's mother, and said to her: 'Go, my good woman. Return home, and tell your son that I agree to the proposal he has made through you, but that I cannot bestow the princess my daughter in marriage until I have ordered and received certain furniture and ornaments, which will not be ready for three months. At the end of that time you may return here.'
"The mother of Aladdin went home in a very joyful mood. When Aladdin saw his mother enter the house, he noticed two circumstances that led him to suppose she brought him good news. In the first place, she had returned that morning much sooner than usual; and, secondly, her countenance expressed pleasure and good humour. 'Tell me, mother,' said Aladdin, 'do you bid me hope, or am I doomed to die in despair?' When his mother had taken off her veil and had seated herself on the sofa by his side, she said: ‘O my son, not to keep you any longer in suspense, I will, in the first place, tell you that you have every reason to be satisfied.' She then went on to explain to him in what manner she had obtained an audience before any one else was heard. She described the precautions she had taken to make her request to the sultan in such a way that he might not be offended when he came to know that she asked nothing less than the hand of the Princess Badroulboudour in marriage for her son; and lastly, she repeated the favourable answer the sultan had given her with his own mouth. She then added that, as far as she could judge from the words and behaviour of the sultan, it was the present that had such a powerful effect upon his mind as to induce him to return so favourable an answer. 'This is my belief,' added she, 'because, before the sultan returned me any answer at all, the grand vizier whispered something in his ear; and I was afraid it would lessen the good intentions he had towards you.'
"When Aladdin heard this good news he thought himself the happiest of mortals. He thanked his mother for all the pains she had taken in managing this business, and for the happy success with which her perseverance had been rewarded. Impatient as he was to possess the object of his affection, the three months that were to elapse seemed to him an age. He nevertheless endeavoured to wait with patience, as he relied upon the word of the sultan, which he considered irrevocable.
"It happened one evening, when about two months of the time had gone, that as Aladdin's mother was going to light her lamp she found that she had no oil in the house. Accordingly she went out to buy some; and on going into the city she soon perceived signs of great festivity and rejoicing. All the shops, instead of being shut up, were open, and ornamented with green branches and decorations; and every preparation was being made for an illumination. The people also showed evident signs of pleasure and rejoicing. The streets were crowded with the different officers in their dresses of ceremony, mounted on horses most richly caparisoned, and surrounded by a great number of attendants and domestics on foot, who were going and coming in every direction. On seeing all this, Aladdin's mother asked the merchant of whom she bought the oil what it all meant. 'Where do you come from, my good woman,' said he, ‘that you do not know that the son of the grand vizier is this evening to be married to the Princess Badroulboudour, the daughter of our sultan? The princess is just now coming from the bath, and the officers whom you see have assembled here to escort her back to the palace where the ceremony is to be performed.'
"Aladdin's mother did not wait to hear more. She returned home with all possible speed, and arrived quite out of breath. She found her son not in the least prepared for the bad news she brought him. 'All is lost, my son!' she exclaimed. 'You depended upon the fair promises of the sultan, and have been deceived.' Aladdin instantly replied: 'My dear mother, why should not the sultan keep his word? How do you know anything about it?' 'This very evening,' answered Aladdin's mother, 'the son of the grand vizier is to marry the Princess Badroulboudour at the palace.' She then related to him in what way she had heard the news.
"Aladdin was greatly astonished at this intelligence. It came upon him like a thunder-stroke. Any person but himself would have been quite overwhelmed; but a sort of secret jealousy prevented him from remaining long inactive. He quickly bethought himself of the lamp, which had hitherto been so useful to him; and then, without indulging in vain reproaches, he only said: 'This bridegroom, mother, shall not be so happy to-night as he expects. While I am gone for a few moments into my chamber, do you prepare supper.'
"His mother easily understood that Aladdin intended to make use of the lamp in order, if possible, to prevent the completion of the marriage of the grand vizier's son with the Princess Badroulboudour. In this conjecture she was right; for as soon as he was in his own room he took the wonderful lamp, rubbed it, and the genie instantly appeared before him. 'What are thy commands? ' said he to Aladdin. 'Attend to me,' answered Aladdin: 'you have hitherto supplied me with food and drink when I needed it. I have now a business of more importance for you. I have demanded of the sultan the Princess Badroulboudour, his daughter, in marriage. He promised her to me, stipulating for a delay of three months; but, instead of keeping his word, he has this very evening, when the three months have not yet elapsed, given his daughter in marriage to the son of his grand vizier. What I order you to do is this: as soon as the bride and bridegroom have retired to rest, take them up and instantly bring them both here in their bed.' 'O master,' replied the genie, 'I will obey thee. Hast thou any further commands?' 'None at present,' said Aladdin. The genie instantly disappeared.
"Aladdin then went back to his mother, and supped with her in the same tranquil manner as usual. After supper he returned to his chamber and left his mother to betake herself to bed. He, of course, did not retire to rest, but waited till the genie should return and report the execution of his orders.
"In the meantime every preparation was made in the sultan's palace to celebrate the nuptials of the princess; and the whole evening was spent in ceremonies and rejoicings till the night was far advanced. When the proper time came, the son of the grand vizier retired unperceived, at a sign that the chief of the eunuchs belonging to the princess privately gave him; and this officer then introduced him into the apartment of the princess his wife, and conducted him to the chamber where the nuptial couch was prepared. The vizier's son retired to bed first; and in a short time the sultana, accompanied by her own women and those of her daughter, brought the bride into the room. The sultana assisted in undressing her; and, wishing her a good night, she retired with all the women.
"Scarcely had this taken place, when the genie, the faithful slave of the lamp, took up the bed with the bride and bridegroom in it; and, to the great astonishment of them both, in an instant transported them to Aladdin's chamber, where he set them down.
"Aladdin, who was awaiting the genie's arrival with the greatest impatience, did not long suffer the son of the grand vizier to retain his place. 'Take this bridegroom,' said he to the genie, 'and shut him up in the lumber-room, and return again in the morning just at daybreak.' The genie instantly took the grand vizier's son, and transported him in his shirt to the place Aladdin had designated, where he left him, after first breathing upon him in such a way that he became paralysed in every limb, and could not stir.
"Though Aladdin felt a deep and fervent affection for the princess, he did not enter into any long conversation with her when he was with her alone. 'Fear nothing, most adorable princess,' he exclaimed, with an air of deep respect; 'you are here in safety; and however violent the love which I feel for you may be-with whatever ardour I adore your beauty and charms-be assured that I will never exceed the limits of the profound veneration I have for you. I have been forced,' he added, 'to proceed to this extremity; but what I have done has not been with the intention of offending you, but to prevent an unjust rival from calling you his, contrary to the promise which the sultan your father has made to me."
"The princess, who knew nothing of all these particulars, paid very little attention to what Aladdin said. The alarm and astonishment caused by this surprising and unexpected adventure had such an effect upon her that Aladdin could not get a single word from her in reply. Presently he laid himself down in the place of the grand vizier's son, with his back turned towards the princess, having first taken the precaution to place a drawn sabre between the princess and himself, as a sign that he deserved to be punished if he off ended her in any way.
"Satisfied with having thus deprived his rival of the beauteous princess who had been promised to him, Aladdin slept very tranquilly. But very different was the case with the princess. Never in her whole life had she passed so unpleasant and disagreeable a night; and we need only remember in what a place and situation the genie had left the son of the grand vizier, to judge that the bridegroom spent his time in still greater discomfort.
"Aladdin had no occasion to rub his lamp the next morning to call the genie, who appeared punctually at the appointed hour, and found Aladdin dressing himself. 'I am here,' said he to Aladdin; 'what commands hast thou for me?' 'Go,' answered Aladdin, 'and bring back the son of the grand vizier from the place where you have put him. Place him again in his bed, and transport it to the palace of the sultan, whence you have brought it.' The genie instantly went to release the grand vizier's son from his imprisonment; and as soon as he appeared, Aladdin took away the sabre. He placed the bridegroom by the side of the princess; and in one moment the bed was carried back to the very same chamber of the sultan's palace whence it had been taken.
"During all these transactions the genie was invisible to the princess and the son of the grand vizier. They did not even hear a single word of the conversation that passed between Aladdin and him, and perceived only by the agitation of the bed that they were being transported from one place to another.
"The genie had just replaced the nuptial couch in the princess' chamber when the sultan came to visit his daughter and wish her good morning. The son of the grand vizier, who was half dead with the cold he had suffered all night, and who not yet had time enough to warm himself, jumped out of bed as soon as he heard the door open, and went into the dressing-room where he had undressed himself the evening before.
"The sultan came up to the bedside of the princess, and kissed her between her eyes, as is the usual custom in wishing any one a good morning. He asked her, with a smile upon his face, how she had slept; but when he looked at her he was extremely surprised to observe that she was in the most dejected and melancholy state. She cast upon him very sorrowful looks, and showed by her whole manner that she was in a state of great alarm and grief. The sultan again spoke to her; but, as he could not get a word from her in reply, he retired. He could not, however, but suspect from her continued silence that something very extraordinary had happened. He therefore went immediately to the apartment of the sultana his wife, to whom he mentioned the state in which he had found the princess, and the reception she had given him. 'O my lord,' replied the sultana, 'I will go and see her. I shall be very much surprised if she will receive me in the same manner.'
"As soon as the sultana was dressed, she went to the apartment of the princess. She approached the bed, and wishing her daughter a good morning, embraced her; but her surprise was great when she found that the princess was in the greatest distress. Therefore she said affectionately: 'My dear daughter, what is the reason that you do not return the caresses I bestow upon you? Something surely has occurred which I do not understand. Tell me candidly what it is, and do not suffer me to remain long in an uncertainty that distresses me beyond measure.'
"At length, with a deep sigh, the Princess Badroulboudour broke silence. 'Alas! my most honoured mother,' she cried, 'pardon me if I have failed in the respect that is due to you. My mind is so entirely absorbed by the strange and extraordinary things which happened to me last night, that I have not yet recovered from my fears, and can scarcely summon courage to speak to you.' She then related in the greatest agitation how on the previous night the bed had been taken up and transported into an ill-furnished and dismal chamber, where she found herself quite alone, and separated from her husband without at all knowing what had become of him; and that she found in this apartment a young man, who, after addressing a few words to her which her terror prevented her from understanding, lay down in her husband's place, having first put his sabre between them; and that, when morning approached, her husband was restored to her, and the bed again brought back to her own chamber in a single instant. 'This second removal,' she added, 'was but just completed when the sultan my father came into my chamber. I was then so full of grief and distress that I could not answer him a single word.'
"The sultana listened with great attention to everything the princess had to relate; but she could not give full credit to her daughter's story. 'You have done well, my child,' she said to the princess, 'not to inform the sultan your father of this matter. Take care that you mention it to no one, unless you wish to be considered a madwoman.' ‘O my mother,' replied the princess, 'I assure you that I am in my right senses, and know what I say: you may ask my husband, and he will tell you the same thing.' 'I will take care to question him,' answered the sultana; 'but even if he gives me the same account as you have done, I shall not be convinced of its truth. In the meantime, however, I beg you will rise and drive this fantasy from your mind.' The sultana then called her women; and after she had made her daughter get up and seen her at her toilet, she went to the sultan's apartment, and told him that some fancy seemed to have got into the head of his daughter, but that it was a mere trifle. She then ordered the son of the grand vizier to be called, in order to question him about what the princess had told her. But he felt himself so highly honoured by this alliance with the sultan, that he determined to feign ignorance. 'Tell me, my dear son-in-law,' said the sultana, 'have you the same strange ideas in your head that your wife has taken into hers?' 'Honoured madam,' he replied, 'may I be permitted to ask the meaning of this question?' 'This is sufficient,' answered the sultana; 'I do not wish to know more. I see you have more sense than she has.'
"The festivities in the palace continued throughout the day; and the sultan, who loved the princess tenderly, omitted nothing that he thought might inspire her with joy. He endeavoured to interest her in the diversions and various exhibitions that were going on; but the recollection of what had happened the preceding night made such a strong impression on her mind, that it was very clear her thoughts were unpleasantly occupied. The son of the grand vizier was equally mortified at the wretched night he had passed; but his ambitious views made him dissemble; and therefore, to judge from his appearance, any one would have thought him the happiest bridegroom in the world.
"Aladdin, who was well informed of everything that had occurred in the palace, did not doubt that the newly married pair would again sleep together, notwithstanding the adventure that had happened to them the night before. He did not, therefore, leave them to repose in quiet: a short time before night came on, he again had recourse to his lamp. The genie instantly appeared, and addressed Aladdin with the accustomed speech. ‘The grand vizier's son and the Princess Badroulboudour,' replied Aladdin, 'are again to sleep together this night. Go, and as soon as they have retired, bring the bed hither as you did yesterday.'
"The genie obeyed Aladdin with the same fidelity he had shown on the previous night, and the vizier's son passed this second night in as cold and unpleasant a situation as he had passed the former; while the princess had the mortification of having Aladdin for a bedfellow, with the sabre, as before, placed between them. In the morning the genie came to carry off the bed, and took it back to the chamber of the palace whence he had taken it.
"The extraordinary reception which the Princess Badroulboudour had given to the sultan on the preceding morning had made him very anxious to learn how she had passed the second night, and whether she would again receive him in the same manner as before. He therefore went to her apartment early in the morning. The grand vizier's son, still more mortified and distressed at the misfortune that had befallen him on the second night than he had been at the first, no sooner heard the sultan than he rose as fast as possible, and ran into the dressing-room. The sultan came to her bedside and wished the princess a good morning. 'Well, my daughter,' he said, 'are you as ill-humoured this morning as you were yesterday? Tell me how you slept last night.' The princess made no reply, and the sultan perceived that she was still more dejected and distressed than she had been the morning before. He could not but believe that something very extraordinary had happened to her. Irritated at the mystery she maintained with him, he drew his sabre, and exclaimed in an angry voice: 'O daughter, tell me what you thus conceal, or I will instantly strike off your head.'
"Terrified at the menaces of the sultan and at the sight of the drawn sabre, the Princess at length broke silence. 'My dear father,' she exclaimed, with tears in her eyes, 'if I have offended your majesty, I most earnestly entreat your pardon. Knowing your goodness, I trust I shall change your anger into compassion, by relating to you the occasion of the distressing and melancholy situation in which I have been placed both last night and the night before.' This appeased and softened the sultan. The princess went on to relate what had happened to her on both these horrible nights, and spoke in so affecting a manner that the sultan was penetrated with grief for the sufferings of his beloved daughter. She concluded her narrative by saying: 'If your majesty has the least doubt of the truth of any part of what I have said, you can easily inquire of the husband you have bestowed upon me: he will corroborate me in everything I have related.'
"The sultan sympathized very fully with the distress this surprising adventure must have excited in his daughter's mind. 'My child,' said he, ‘you were wrong not to divulge to me yesterday the strange story which you have just related, and in which I am not less interested than yourself. I have not bestowed you in marriage to render you unhappy, but, on the contrary, to increase your happiness, and to afford you every enjoyment you so well deserve. Banish from your memory, then, the melancholy remembrance of what you have been relating to me: I will take care that you shall experience no more such nights as those which you have now suffered.'
"When the sultan got back to his apartment, he immediately sent for the grand vizier. 'Have you seen your son?' he asked him, 'and has he made any communication to you?' On the reply of the minister that he had not seen his son, the sultan reported to him everything he had heard from the Princess Badroulboudour. He then added: 'I have no doubt that my daughter has told me the truth. I wish, nevertheless, to have this matter confirmed by the testimony of your son. Go, and question him.'
"The grand vizier immediately went to his son, informed him of what the sultan had said, and commanded him to tell everything that had happened. 'I will conceal nothing from you, my father,' replied the son. 'Everything the princess has told the sultan is true: but she was unable to give an account of the bad treatment which I in particular have experienced. Since my marriage I have spent two of the most dreadful nights you can possibly conceive. But you yourself can judge of the dreadful state I was in, when I tell you that I passed both nights standing upright in a sort of narrow lumber-room, with nothing upon me but my shirt, and deprived of the power of moving from the spot where I was placed, or of making the least movement, although I could not see the obstacle that rendered me thus powerless. Let me add that all this has by no means lessened the respect and affection which I had for the princess my wife; though I confess to you most sincerely that, in spite of all the honour and glory that I derive from having the daughter of my sovereign for my wife, I would much sooner die than continue to enjoy this high alliance, if I must continue to undergo the severe and horrible treatment I have already suffered. I am sure the princess must be of the same opinion as myself, and that our separation is as necessary for her comfort as for my own. I entreat you, therefore, my dear father, to procure the consent of the sultan to have our marriage declared null and void.'
"Great as had been the ambition of the grand vizier to have his son so nearly allied to the sultan, the fixed resolution which he found the young man had formed of dissolving his union with the princess, made him think it necessary to request his son to have patience for a few days before the matter was finally settled, in order to see whether this unpleasant business might not settle itself. He then left his son, and returned to the sultan, to whom he acknowledged that everything the princess had said was true. And then, without waiting till the sultan himself spoke to him about annulling the marriage, he requested permission for his son to leave the palace; giving as his reason that it was not just that the Princess Badroulboudour should be exposed for one instant longer to so terrible a persecution through the marriage she had contracted.
"The grand vizier had no difficulty in obtaining his request. The sultan, who had already settled the matter in his own mind, immediately gave orders that the rejoicings should be stopped, not only in his own palace, but throughout the whole extent of his dominions; and in a short time every mark of public joy and festivity within the kingdom ceased. This sudden and unexpected change gave rise to a variety of different conjectures. Every one was inquiring why these strange orders were issued, and all affirmed that the grand vizier had been seen coming out of the palace, and going towards his own house, accompanied by his son, and that they both seemed very much dejected. Aladdin was the only person who knew the real reason of the change, and he rejoiced most sincerely at the happy success arising from the use of the lamp. And now that he knew for a certainty that his rival had left the palace, and that the marriage between the princess and the vizier's son was absolutely annulled, he had no further occasion to rub his lamp and have recourse to the genie, in order to prevent the completion of the marriage.
"Aladdin allowed the three months, which the sultan wished to elapse before the marriage of the Princess Badroulboudour and himself, to pass without making any application. On the very morning after the whole period had expired he did not fail to send his mother to the palace, to put the sultan in mind of his promise. She went accordingly and stood at her usual place, near the entrance of the divan. As soon as the sultan cast his eyes that way and beheld her, he recollected her, and she instantly brought to his mind the request she had made. As the grand vizier approached to make some report to him, the sultan stopped him by saying: 'I perceive yonder that good woman who presented us with the beautiful collection of jewels some time since; order her to come forward.' The grand vizier directly turned his head towards the entrance of the divan, and perceived the mother of Aladdin. He immediately called to the chief of the ushers, and pointing her out to him, desired him to conduct her forward.
"Aladdin's mother advanced to the foot of the throne, where she prostrated herself in the usual manner. After she had risen the sultan asked her what she wished. 'O mighty monarch,' she replied, 'I again present myself before the throne of your majesty to announce to you, in the name of my son Aladdin, that the three months during which you have desired him to wait have expired; and to entreat that you will have the goodness to recall that circumstance to your remembrance.'
"When, on a former occasion, the sultan had desired a delay of three months before he acceded to the request of this good woman, he thought he should hear no more of a marriage which appeared to him entirely unsuited to the princess his daughter. He naturally judged of the suitor's position from the apparent poverty and low situation of Aladdin's mother, who always appeared before him in a very coarse and common dress. The application, therefore, which she now made to him to keep his word, embarrassed him greatly, and he did not think it prudent to give her an immediate and direct answer. He consulted his grand vizier, and acknowledged the repugnance he felt at concluding a marriage between the princess and an unknown man, whom fortune, he conjectured, had not raised much above the condition of a common citizen.
"The grand vizier did not hesitate to give his opinion on the subject. 'O my lord,' said he to the sultan,' it seems to me that there is a very easy and yet very certain method to avoid this unequal marriage-a method of which this Aladdin, even if he were known to your majesty, could not complain. It is, to set so high a price upon the princess your daughter, that all his riches, however great they may be, cannot amount to the value. Then he will be obliged to desist from his bold design, which he certainly does not seem to have considered well before he engaged in it.'
"The sultan approved of the advice of his grand vizier; and, after some little reflection, he said to Aladdin's mother: ‘Good woman, it is right that a sultan should keep his word; and I am ready to adhere to mine, and to render your son happy by marrying him to the princess my daughter; but as I cannot bestow her in marriage till I have seen proofs that she will be well provided for, tell your son that I will fufil my promise as soon as he sends me forty large basins of massive gold quite full of jewels, like those which you have already presented to me from him. These basins must be carried by forty black slaves, each of whom shall be conducted by a white slave, young, handsome, and richly dressed. These are the conditions upon which I am ready to give him the princess my daughter for his wife. Go, my good woman, and I will wait till you bring me his answer.'
"Aladdin's mother again prostrated herself at the foot of the throne, and retired. On her way home she smiled within herself at the foolish projects of her son. 'Where, indeed,' said she, 'is he to find so many golden basins, and such a great quantity of coloured glass as he will require to fill them? Will he attempt to go back into the subterraneous cavern, the entrance of which is shut up, that he may gather them off the trees? And where can he procure all the handsome slaves whom the sultan demands? He is far enough from having his wishes accomplished, and I believe he will not be very well satisfied with the result of my embassy.' Thus she entered the house, with her mind occupied by these thoughts. 'My son,' said she, 'I advise you to think no more of your projected marriage with the Princess Badroulboudour. The sultan, indeed, received me with great kindness, and I believe that he was well inclined towards you. It was the grand vizier who, if I am not mistaken, made him alter his opinion. After I had represented to his majesty that the three months had expired, and that I came on your behalf to request he would recollect his promise, I observed that he did not make me the answer I am going to repeat to you until he had spoken for some time in a low tone of voice to the grand vizier.' Aladdin's mother then gave her son a very exact account of everything the sultan had said, and of the conditions upon which he consented to the marriage of the princess his daughter with Aladdin. ‘He is even now, my son,' she continued, 'waiting for your answer; but between ourselves,' she said, with a smile, 'he may wait long enough.' 'Not so long as you may think, mother,' replied Aladdin; ‘and the sultan deceives himself if he supposes that by such exorbitant demands he can prevent my thinking any more of the Princess Badroulboudour. I am very well satisfied; for what he requires of me is a trifle in comparison to what I would give him to possess such a treasure as the princess. While I am taking measures to satisfy his demands, do you go and prepare something for dinner, and leave me awhile to myself.'
"As soon as his mother was gone out to purchase provisions, Aladdin took the lamp. When he rubbed it, the genie instantly appeared, and demanded to know what was required of him. 'The sultan agrees to give me the princess his daughter in marriage,' said Aladdin; 'but he demands of me forty large basins of massive gold, filled to the very top with the various fruits of the garden from which I took the lamp of which you are the slave. He requires also that these forty basins should be brought to him by forty black slaves, preceded by an equal number of young and handsome white slaves very richly dressed. Go and procure me this present as soon as possible, that I may send it to the sultan before the sitting of the divan is over.' The genie said that his master's commands should be instantly executed, and disappeared.
"In a very short time the genie returned with forty black slaves, each carrying upon his head a large golden basin of great weight, full of pearls, diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, which might compete for brilliancy and size with those which had already been presented to the sultan. Each basin was covered with a doth of silver embroidered with flowers of gold. The forty black slaves with their golden basins and their white companions entirely filled the house, which was but small, as well as the court in front and a garden behind it. The genie asked Aladdin if he was satisfied, and on being told that nothing further was required, he immediately disappeared.
"Aladdin's mother now returned from market; and great was her surprise on coming home to see so many persons and such vast wealth. When she had set down the provisions she had brought with her, she was going to take off her veil, but Aladdin prevented her, and exclaimed: 'There is no time to lose. It is of consequence that you should return to the palace before the divan breaks up, that you may at once deliver to the sultan the present and dowry which he demands for the Princess Badroulboudour, that he may judge of my ardent and sincere zeal to procure the honour of being received into alliance with his family.'
"Without waiting for his mother's answer, Aladdin opened the door that led into the street and ordered all the slaves to go out one after the other. He then posted a white slave in front of each of the black ones, who carried the golden basins on their heads. When his mother, who followed the last black slave, had gone out, he shut the door and remained quietly in his chamber, fully convinced that the sultan, after receiving such a present as he had required, would now readily consent to accept him as his son-in-law.
"The first white slave who went out of Aladdin's house caused all the passers-by to stop; and before all the eighty slaves had emerged from the courtyard, the street was filled with a great crowd of people, who collected from all parts to see this grand and extraordinary sight. The dress of each slave was made of a rich stuff, and so studded with precious stones that those who thought themselves the best judges reckoned the value of each suit at many thousand gold pieces. The graceful manner and elegant form of the slaves, and their great similarity to one another, together with their staid and solemn march, and the dazzling lustre that the different jewels, which were set in their girdles of massive gold, shed around-all this, added to the branches of precious stones fastened to their head-dresses, produced in the multitude of spectators such astonishment and admiration, that they could not take their eyes from them so long as any of the slaves remained in sight.
"When the first of the eighty slaves arrived at the outer court of the palace, the porters were in the greatest haste to open the door, as they took the first slave for a king, so richly and magnificently was he dressed. They were advancing to kiss the hem of his robe, when the slave, instructed by the genie, prevented them, and in a grave tone of voice said: 'Our master will appear at the proper time.'
"The first slave, followed by all the rest, advanced as far as the second court, which was very spacious, and contained those apartments used for the holding of the sultan's divan. The officers who were at the head of the sultan's guards were very handsomely clothed; but they were completely eclipsed by the eighty slaves who were the bearers of Aladdin's present, in which they themselves were included. Nothing throughout the sultan's whole palace appeared so brilliant as they; and however magnificently dressed the different nobles of the court might be, they dwindled into insignificance in comparison with these splendid strangers.
"As the sultan had been informed of the march and arrival of these slaves, he had given orders to have them admitted. Accordingly, when they presented themselves at the hall of council, they found the door of the divan open. They entered in regular order, one-half going to the right and the other to the left. After they were all within the hall and had formed a large semicircle before the throne, each of the black slaves placed upon the carpet the basin which he carried. They then all prostrated themselves so low that their foreheads touched the ground. The white slaves also performed the same ceremony. Then they all rose; and in doing so, the black slaves skilfully uncovered the basins which were before them, and then remained standing in an attitude of profound respect.
"The mother of Aladdin, who had in the meantime advanced to the foot of the throne, prostrated herself, and thus addressed the sultan: 'O mighty ruler, my son Aladdin is well aware that this present which he has sent your majesty is very much beneath the inestimable worth of the Princess Badroulboudour. He nevertheless hopes that your majesty will graciously accept it and that it may find favour in the eyes of the princess.'
"This complimentary address of Aladdin's mother was entirely lost upon the sultan, who paid no attention to her words. The forty golden basins, heaped up with jewels of the most brilliant lustre, the finest water, and greatest value he had ever seen, and the appearance of the eighty slaves, who seemed like so many kings, both from the magnificence of their dress and their splendid appearance, made such an impression upon him that he could not restrain his admiration. Instead, therefore, of making any answer to the compliments of Aladdin's mother, he addressed himself to the grand vizier, who could not himself imagine whence such an immense profusion of riches could possibly have come. ' Tell me, vizier,' he exclaimed, in the hearing of all, 'what do you think of the person who has now sent me this rich and marvellous present? Do you not think that he is worthy of the princess my daughter?'
"Whatever jealousy and pain the grand vizier might feel at thus seeing an unknown person become the son-in-law of the sultan in preference to his own son, he was afraid to dissemble his real opinion on the present occasion. It was very evident that Aladdin had by his unbounded magnificence become in the eyes of the sultan very deserving of being honoured with the high alliance to which he aspired. He therefore answered the sultan in the following words: 'Far be it from me, mighty king, to suppose that he who makes your majesty so worthy a present should himself be undeserving the honour you wish to bestow upon him. I would even say that he deserved still more, if all the treasures of the universe could be put in competition with the princess your daughter.'
"The sultan hesitated no longer. The mere sight of such immense riches, and the wonderful celerity with which Aladdin had fulfilled his request without making the least difficulty about the exorbitant conditions for which he had stipulated, easily persuaded him that Aladdin must possess every necessary quality. He determined, therefore, to send back Aladdin's mother as well satisfied as she could possibly expect, and accordingly said to her: ‘Go, my good woman, and tell your son that I am waiting with open arms to receive and embrace him; and that the greater diligence he uses in coming to receive from my hands the gift I am ready to bestow upon him, in my daughter, the greater pleasure he will afford me.'
"When Aladdin's mother had departed, as happy as a woman could be, the sultan put an end to the audience; and ordered the eunuchs of the princess' household to be called. On their arrival, he commanded them to take up the basins and carry them to the apartment of their mistress, whither he himself went in order to examine them with her at leisure.
"The eighty slaves were not forgotten. They were conducted into the interior of the palace; and when the sultan was speaking to the princess of their magnificent appearance, he ordered them to come opposite to her apartment, that she might see them and be convinced that so far from having given an exaggerated account of them, he had said much less than they deserved.
"In the meantime Aladdin's mother reached home, and instantly showed by her manner that she was the bearer of excellent news. 'You have every reason, my dear son,' she said, 'to be satisfied. Contrary to my expectations I have now to announce to you that you have gained your suit. I must inform you that the sultan, amid the applause of his whole court, has announced that you are worthy to possess the Princess Badroulboudour, and he is now waiting to embrace you and to conclude the marriage. The sultan waits for you with the greatest impatience, and therefore you must lose no time in making your appearance before him.'
"Aladdin was so delighted at this intelligence, and so enraptured with the thought of the enchanting object of his love, that he hardly answered his mother, but instantly retired to his chamber. He then took up the lamp that had thus far been so friendly to him. He rubbed it, and immediately the genie again showed his ready obedience to its power by appearing to execute his commands. 'O genie,' said Aladdin to him, 'I have called thee to take me immediately to a bath; and when I have bathed, I command thee to have in readiness for me, if possible, a richer and more magnificent dress than was ever worn by any monarch.' So soon as Aladdin had concluded his speech, the genie rendered him invisible, took him in his arms, and transported him to a bath formed of the finest marble of the most beautiful and diversified colours. Aladdin immediately felt himself undressed by invisible hands in a large and handsome saloon. From thence he was conducted into a moderately heated bath, and was there washed and rubbed with various sorts of perfumed waters. He emerged completely altered in appearance. His skin was white and fresh, his countenance blooming, and his whole body felt light and active. He then went back to the saloon, where, instead of the dress he had left, he found the one he had desired the genie to procure. Assisted by the genie, he dressed himself, and in doing so could not refrain from expressing the greatest admiration at each part of his costume as he put it on. As soon as this business was over, the genie transported him back into the same chamber of his own house whence he had brought him. He then inquired if Aladdin had any other commands. 'Yes,' replied Aladdin; 'I command thee to bring me as quickly as possible a horse which shall surpass in beauty and excellence the most valuable horse in the sultan's stables; the saddle, bridle, and other furniture, shall be worth many thousands of gold pieces. I also order thee to get me at the same time twenty slaves, as splendidly and richly clothed as those who carried the present, to march beside and behind me, and twenty more to march in two ranks before me. Thou must also procure six females to attend upon my mother, and these slaves must be as tastefully and richly clothed as those of the Princess Badroulboudour, and each of them must carry a complete dress, fit in point of splendour and magnificence for any sultana. I also want ten thousand pieces of gold in each of ten separate purses. Go and be diligent.'
"When Aladdin had given his orders the genie disappeared, and a moment afterwards returned with the horse, the forty slaves, ten of whom had each a purse with ten thousand pieces of gold, and the six female slaves, each carrying a dress for Aladdin's mother wrapped up in a piece of silver tissue.
"Aladdin took only four out of the ten purses, and made a present of them to his mother, as he said that she might want them. He left the other six in the hands of the slaves who carried them, desiring them to keep the money and throw it out by handsful to the populace as they went along the streets on their way to the palace of the sultan. He ordered them also to march before him with the other slaves. He then presented the six female slaves to his mother, telling her that they were for her, and would in future consider her as their mistress, and that the dresses they had in their hands were for her use.
"When Aladdin had thus arranged everything for his progress to the palace, he told the genie that he would call him when he had any further occasion for his services. The genie instantly vanished. Aladdin then sent to the palace one of the forty slaves, who might have been considered the handsomest had they not all been equally well-favoured. This slave was ordered to address himself to the chief of the ushers, and inquire of him when his master might have the honour of throwing himself at the feet of the sultan. The slave soon delivered this message, and brought word back that the sultan was waiting for his son-in-law with the greatest impatience.
"Aladdin immediately mounted his horse, and began his march in the order that has been mentioned. The streets through which he passed were soon filled with crowds of people, who made the air resound with their acclamations and with shouts of admiration, particularly when the six slaves who carried the purses threw handsful of gold on all sides. When the report spread around that the sultan had bestowed upon Aladdin the hand of the Princess Badroulboudour, no one ever thought about the meanness of his birth or envied him his great fortune, so entirely did he appear to deserve it.
"He at length arrived at the palace, where everything was ready for his reception. When he came to the second gate he wished to alight, according to the custom observed by the grand vizier, the generals of the army, and the governors of provinces; but the chief of the ushers, who attended him by the sultan's order, prevented him from dismounting, and accompanied him to the hall of audience, where he assisted him from his horse. In the meantime all the ushers formed a double row at the entrance into the hall; and their chief, placing Aladdin on his right hand, went up through the midst of them, and conducted him to the foot of the throne.
"When the sultan saw Aladdin coming, he was not more surprised at finding him more richly and magnificently clothed than he was himself, than he was delighted and astonished at the propriety of his manner, his graceful figure, and a certain air of grandeur. His astonishment, however, did not prevent him from rising, and descending two or three steps of his throne, in order to prevent Aladdin from throwing himself at his feet, and to embrace him with the most evident marks of friendship and affection. Aladdin again endeavoured to cast himself at the sultan's feet, but the sultan compelled him to ascend the steps and sit between him and his grand vizier
"Aladdin then addressed the sultan in these words: ‘I receive the honours which your majesty has the goodness to bestow upon me, because it is your pleasure to bestow them; nevertheless I have not forgotten that I was born your slave. If there can be the shadow of a reason,' he continued, ‘to which I can in the least attribute the favourable reception which has been granted me, I candidly avow that I am indebted for it to a boldness which chance alone brought about, and in consequence of which I have raised my eyes, my thoughts, and my aspirations to the divine princess, who is the sole object of my eager hopes. I request your majesty's pardon for my rashness, but my grief would be the death of me, if I should lose the hope of seeing my wishes accomplished.'
"'My son,' replied the sultan, 'you would do me injustice to doubt even for an instant the sincerity of my word. Your life is so dear to me that I shall endeavour to preserve it for ever, by presenting you with the object for which you pine."
"As he concluded this speech the sultan made a sign; and the air was immediately filled with the sound of trumpets, hautbois, and timbrels. The sultan then conducted Aladdin into a magnificent saloon, where a great feast had been prepared. The sultan and Aladdin sat down together to eat; the grand vizier and nobles of the court, each according to his dignity and rank, waited upon them during their repast. The sultan entered into conversation on a variety of different topics; and while they thus discoursed, whatever the subject happened to be, Aladdin spoke with so much information and knowledge, that he completely confirmed the sultan in the good opinion the latter had at first formed of him.
"When the repast was over, the sultan ordered the chief judge to attend, and commanded him to draw up a contract of marriage between the Princess Badroulboudour and Aladdin.
"When the judge had drawn out the contract with all the requisite forms, the sultan asked Aladdin if he wished to remain in the palace, and conclude all the ceremonies that day. 'O mighty monarch,' he replied, 'however impatient I may be to receive the gift that your majesty's bounty destines for me, I request you to permit me to defer my happiness until I have built a palace for the princess that shall be worthy even of her merit and dignity. And for this purpose I entreat your majesty to have the goodness to point out a suitable place near your own for its situation, that I may always be ready to pay my court to your majesty. I will neglect nothing to get it finished with all possible diligence.' 'My son,' answered the sultan, 'take whatever spot you think proper to choose. There is a large open space in front of my palace, and I have intended for some time to build upon it; but remember, that to have my happiness complete, I cannot too soon see you united to my daughter.' With these kind words he again embraced Aladdin, who now took leave of the sultan.
"Aladdin then mounted his horse, and returned home in the same order in which he had come, and receiving acclamations from the people, who wished him all happiness and prosperity. As soon as he had entered the court and alighted from his horse, he retired to his own chamber. He instantly rubbed the lamp, and called the genie, who appeared directly and offered his services. 'O genie,' said Aladdin to him, ‘I have hitherto had every reason to praise the precision and promptitude with which thou hast executed whatever I have required of thee, by means of the power of thy mistress, this lamp. But now, if possible, thou must show even greater zeal and dispatch than thou hast yet shown. I command thee, therefore, to build me a palace as quickly as possible, opposite to that belonging to the sultan, and at a short distance from it; and let this palace be in every way worthy to receive the Princess Badroulboudour my bride. I leave the choice of the materials to thee. Thou shalt decide whether it shall be of porphyry, of jasper, of agate, of lapis lazuli, or of the finest and rarest kinds of marble. The form of the palace also I leave to thy judgment; I only expect that at the top of the palace there shall be erected a large saloon, with a dome in the centre, and four equal sides, the walls of which shall be formed of massive gold and silver, in alternate layers, with twenty-four windows, six on each side. The lattices of each window, except one, which is to be purposely left unfinished, shall be enriched with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, set with the greatest taste and symmetry, and in a style unequalled by anything in the whole world. I wish this palace to have a large court in the front, another at the back, and a garden. But above everything be sure that there is a room well filled with money, both in gold and silver. There must also be kitchens, offices, and receptacles for rich and valuable furniture, suited to the different seasons. Stables I must likewise have, filled with the most beautiful horses, also grooms and attendants; and the appliances for hunting must be there. I must have attendants for the kitchen and offices, and female slaves for the service of the princess. Go, and return as soon as thy task is completed."
"The sun had already gone down when Aladdin finished giving his orders to the genie respecting the construction of the palace. The very next morning when the day broke, Aladdin had scarcely risen before the genie presented himself. '0 master,' said he, 'thy palace is finished. Come and see if it is built as thou didst wish.' Aladdin signified his assent, and the genie transported him to the palace in an instant. He found it exceed his utmost expectation, and could not sufficiently admire it. The genie conducted him through every part of it, and he everywhere found the greatest wealth applied with the utmost propriety. There were also the proper officers and slaves, all dressed according to their rank, and ready to engage in their different employments. Amongst other things the genie remembered to show Aladdin the treasury, the door of which was opened by the treasurer. Aladdin here observed large vases filled to the very brim with purses of different sizes, each containing a sum of money. The genie now led Aladdin to the stables, where he made him take notice of the most beautiful horses in the world, with servants and grooms busily employed about them.
"When Aladdin had examined the whole palace, and had particularly inspected the saloon with the four-and-twenty windows, and had seen all the riches and magnificence it contained, he exclaimed: 'O genie, no one can be more satisfied than I am, and I should be very wrong to make the least complaint. There is one thing only, which I did not mention to thee, because it escaped my recollection; it is, to have a carpet of the finest velvet laid from the gate of the sultan's palace to the door of the apartment in this which is appropriated to the princess, that she may walk upon it when she leaves the sultan's palace,' 'I will return in an instant,' replied the genie; and he had not been gone a moment, before Aladdin saw the carpet he had ordered rolled out by invisible hands. The genie again made his appearance, and carried Aladdin back to his own house, just as the gates of the sultan's palace were about to be opened.
"The sultan's porters who came to open the gates, and who were accustomed to see an open space where Aladdin's palace now stood, were much astonished at observing that space occupied by a building, and at seeing a velvet carpet, which seemed to stretch from that part directly opposite to the gate of the sultan's abode. The news of this wonder soon spread throughout the palace; and the grand vizier was no less astonished than were the rest. The first thing he did was to go to the sultan; but he tried to represent the whole business as enchantment. 'Why do you endeavour, O vizier,' replied the sultan, 'to make this appear as the effect of enchantment? You know as well as I that it is the palace of Aladdin, which I in your presence yesterday gave him permission to build for the reception of the princess my daughter. After the immense display of riches which we have seen, can you think it so very extraordinary that he should be able to build one in this short time? He wished, no doubt, to surprise us, and we every day see what miracles riches can perform. Confess that you wish through motives of jealousy to make this appear as the effect of sorcery.' The hour had now come for entering the council-hall, and this conversation was consequently broken off.
"When Aladdin had returned home and dismissed the genie, he found that his mother was up, and had begun to put on one of the dresses which he had ordered for her the day before. About the time when the sultan usually left the council, Aladdin requested his mother to go, attended by the female slaves whom the genie had procured for her use. He desired her also, if she should see the sultan, to inform him that she came in the hope of having the honour of accompanying the Princess Badroulboudour in the evening, when the time came for the princess to go to her own palace. She accordingly set forth. Aladdin himself mounted his horse, and left his paternal house never more to return; but he did not forget to take with him his wonderful lamp, which had been the cause of all his happiness. He went to his superb residence surrounded with all the pomp with which he had presented himself to the sultan on the preceding day.
"As soon as the porters of the sultan's palace perceived the mother of Aladdin, they gave notice of her approach to the sultan himself. He immediately sent orders to the bands who were already placed in different parts of the terrace, and in a moment the air re-echoed with festive sounds which spread pleasure throughout the city. All the people thronged to the great square that intervened between the palaces of the sultan and Aladdin. Aladdin's palace first attracted their admiration, not merely because they had been accustomed to see only that of the sultan, which could not be put in comparison with Aladdin's; but their greatest surprise arose from their not being able to comprehend by what unheard of means so magnificent a palace could have been reared in a spot where the day before there had been no materials, nor any foundation laid.
"Aladdin's mother was received with great honour, and was introduced by the chief of the eunuchs into the apartment of the Princess Badroulboudour. As soon as the princess perceived her, she ran and embraced her, and made her sit down upon her own sofa. And while the Princess Badroulboudour's women were dressing their mistress, and adorning her with the most valuable of the jewels which Aladdin had presented to her, she entertained her visitor with a most magnificent collation. The sultan paid great honour and respect to Aladdin's mother. She had often seen the sultan in public, but he had never yet seen her without her veil. The sultan, too, had always seen her very plainly dressed, and he was therefore the more struck at finding her as magnificently attired as the princess his daughter.
"When the evening approached, the princess took leave of the sultan her father. Their parting was tender and accompanied by tears; and the princess at last left her apartment, and began her progress to her new dwelling, with Aladdin's mother on her left hand, followed by a hundred female slaves, all magnificently dressed. All the bands of instruments, whose strains had been incessantly heard since the arrival of Aladdin's mother, united at once, and marched with them. These were followed by a hundred attendants and an equal number of black eunuchs in two rows, with their proper officers at their head. Four hundred young pages belonging to the sultan, marching in two troops on each side, with flambeaux in their hands, spread a great light around.
"In this order did the princess proceed, walking upon the carpet which extended from Aladdin's palace to that of the sultan. And as she continued her progress, the musicians went forward and mingled with those who were placed on the terrace of Aladdin's palace; and with their help they formed a concert which augmented the general joy.
"The princess at length arrived at her destination, and Aladdin ran with every expression of joy to the entrance of the apartments appropriated to her, in order to welcome her. ‘O adorable princess,' cried Aladdin, 'if I should have the misfortune to have displeased you by the temerity with which I have aspired to the great honour of being allied to the daughter of my sultan, please to consider that it was to your beautiful eyes and to your charms alone that you must attribute my rashness, and not to myself.' 'O prince, for thus I must now call you,' replied the princess, 'I obey the will of the sultan my father; and now that I have seen you, I freely own that I obey him without reluctance.'
"Aladdin was delighted at this satisfactory and charming answer. He took the princess' hand, which he kissed with the greatest demonstrations of joy. Then he conducted her into a large saloon. Here, through the attention of the genie, there was a table spread with everything rare and excellent. The dishes were of massive gold and filled with the most delicious viands. The vases, the basins, and the goblets with which the sideboard was amply furnished, were also of gold. The princess, enchanted at the sight of such a collection of riches, said to Aladdin: 'O prince, I thought nothing in the whole world was more beautiful than the palace of the sultan my father; but the appearance of this saloon tells me I was deceived.'
"The Princess Badroulboudour, Aladdin, and his mother sat down to table; and instantly a band of the most harmonious instruments, played upon by women of great beauty, who accompanied the sweet strains with their voices, began a concert which lasted till the repast was finished. The princess was so delighted with the music, that she said she had never heard anything to equal it in the palace of her father. But she knew not that these musicians were fairies, chosen by the slave of the lamp.
"When supper was concluded and everything had been removed with the greatest diligence, a troop of dancers, of both sexes, took the places of the musicians. They performed dances with various figures, as was the custom of the country, and concluded by one executed by a male and female, who danced with the most surprising activity and agility. It was near midnight when, according to the custom at that time observed in China, Aladdin rose and presented his hand to the Princess Badroulboudour, that they might dance together, and thus finish the ceremony of their nuptials. They both danced with such grace that they were the admiration of all present. When this ceremony was over, Aladdin did not let the hand of the princess go, but they went into the chamber together in which the nuptial bed had been prepared. In this manner did the ceremonies and rejoicings at the marriage of Aladdin and the Princess Badroulboudour conclude.
"The next morning when Aladdin arose, his chamberlains appeared to dress him. They clothed him in a new habit, but one as rich and magnificent as the dress he wore on the day of his marriage. They then brought him one of the horses appropriated to his use. He mounted it, and rode to the palace of the sultan, surrounded by a large troop of slaves. The sultan received him with the same honours he had before shown him. He embraced him, and, after placing him on the throne close by his side, ordered breakfast to be served up. 'O great king,' said Aladdin to the sultan, 'I beseech your majesty to withhold from me this honour today. I come for the express purpose of entreating you to come and partake of a repast in the palace of the princess, with your grand vizier, and the nobles of your court.' The sultan readily granted his son-in-law's request. He rose immediately, and proceeded, with Aladdin on his right hand and the grand vizier on his left, followed by the nobles, the principal officers going before them.
"The nearer the sultan came to the palace of Aladdin, the more was he struck with its beauty; yet this impression was faint compared with the astonishment he felt on entering. His expressions of surprise and pleasure were renewed in all the apartments through which he passed. But when the company came to the hall of the twenty-four windows, to which Aladdin had requested them to ascend; when the sultan had seen its ornaments, and had above all things cast his eyes on the lattices enriched with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, all of the finest sort and most superb size; and when Aladdin had made him observe that the outside and inside of each window was decorated with equal magnificence, the sultan was so much astonished that he stood absolutely motionless. After remaining some time in that state, he at length said to his vizier: 'O vizier, is it possible there should be in my kingdom, and so near my own, so superb a palace, and yet that I should till this moment be ignorant of its existence?' 'Your majesty,' replied the grand vizier, 'may remember that the day before yesterday you gave permission to Aladdin, whom you then acknowledged as your son-in-law, to build a palace opposite your own. On the same day when the sun went down not the smallest part of this palace was on this spot; and yesterday I had the honour to announce to your majesty that it was built and finished.' 'I remember,' replied the sultan; 'but I never imagined that this palace would be one of the wonders of the world. Where throughout the universe will you find walls thus built with alternate layers of massive gold and silver, instead of stone or marble, and windows with lattices studded with diamonds, rubies, and emeralds? Never in the whole world has such a thing been heard of.'
"The sultan wished to examine everything more closely, and observe the beauty of the twenty-four lattices. On looking at them separately, he found only twenty-three that were equally rich, and he was therefore greatly astonished that the twenty-fourth should remain imperfect. 'Vizier,' said he, 'I am very much surprised that so magnificent a hall as this should remain unfinished in this particular.' 'O mighty monarch,' replied the grand vizier, 'Aladdin apparently was pressed for time, and therefore was unable to finish this window like the rest.'
"Aladdin, who had quitted the sultan to give some orders came and joined them during this conversation. 'My son,' said the sultan, 'this truly is a hall worthy the admiration of all the world. There is, however, one thing at which I am astonished, and that is, to observe this lattice unfinished. Is it through forgetfulness, or neglect, or because the workmen have not had time to put the finishing strokes to this beautiful specimen of architecture?' 'My lord,' answered Aladdin, 'it is not for any of these reasons that this lattice remains as your majesty now sees it. It is left unfinished on purpose; and it was by my orders that the workmen have not touched it. I wish that your majesty may have the glory of putting the finishing-stroke to this saloon and palace, and I entreat you to believe that my intention in this is that I may have a memento of the favour I have received from you.' 'If you have done it with that view,' replied the sultan, 'I take it in good part; I will give the necessary orders about it.' He accordingly ordered the jewellers, who were best furnished with precious stones, and the most skilful goldsmiths in his capital, to be sent for.
"When the sultan came down from the saloon, Aladdin conducted him into the chamber where he had entertained the Princess Badroulboudour on the evening of their nuptials, The princess herself entered a moment after, and received her father in such a manner as made it very evident that she was quite satisfied with her marriage. In the saloon two tables were set out with the most delicious viands, all served up in dishes of gold. The sultan sat down at the first table, and ate with his daughter, Aladdin, and the grand vizier. All the nobles of the court were regaled at the second, which was of great size. The repast highly pleased the sultan's taste, and he confessed that he had never partaken of so magnificent a feast.
"When the sultan rose from the table, he was informed that the jewellers and goldsmiths whom he had caused to be summoned were come. He then went up to the hall of the twenty-four windows, and there he pointed out to the jewellers and goldsmiths who followed him that window which was imperfect. 'I have ordered you to come here,' said the sultan, 'to finish this window, and make it quite perfect like the rest. Examine these windows, and lose no time in completing the unfinished one.'
"The jewellers and goldsmiths examined all the lattices with the closest attention; and after they had decided among themselves what each could contribute towards its completion, they presented themselves before the sultan, and the chief jeweller thus addressed him: 'We are ready, great king, to employ all our diligence to obey your majesty; but amongst our whole craft we have not jewels sufficient in number or in value to complete so great a work.' 'I have enough,' cried the sultan, 'and more than you want. Come to my palace, and you shall choose those you like best.'
"When the sultan came back to his palace, he caused all his jewels to be shown to the jewellers; and they took a great quantity of them, particularly of those which had been presented by Aladdin. They used up all these, without appearing to have made much progress in their work. They went back several times for more, and in the course of a month they had not finished more than half their task. They had used all the sultan's jewels, with as many of the grand vizier's as he could spare, and with all these they could not more than half finish the window.
"Aladdin was well aware that all the sultan's endeavours to make the lattice of this window like the others were vain, and that the jewellers would never complete their task. He therefore spoke to the workmen, and not only made them stop working, but even undo all they had yet finished, and carry back all the jewels to the sultan and the grand vizier.
"Thus all the work, which the jewellers had been four weeks in performing, was destroyed in a few hours. Then they went away and left Aladdin alone in the hall. He took up the lamp, which he had with him and rubbed it. The genie instantly appeared. 'O genie,' said Aladdin to him, 'I ordered you to leave one of the twenty-four lattices of this hall imperfect, and you obeyed me. I now inform you I wish it to be completed like the rest.' The genie disappeared, and Aladdin went out of the saloon. He entered it again in a few moments, and found the lattice finished as he wished, and similar to the others.
"In the meantime the jewellers and goldsmiths arrived at the palace, and were admitted to the presence of the sultan in his own apartment. The first jeweller then produced the precious stones he had brought with him, and in the name of the rest spoke thus: 'O mighty king, your majesty knows for what length of time and how diligently we have worked in order to finish the business on which you deigned to employ us. It was already very far advanced when Aladdin obliged us not only to leave off, but even to destroy what we had already done, and to bring back your jewels, as well as those that belonged to the grand vizier.' The sultan asked whether Aladdin had given them any reason for this proceeding; and when they replied that he had said nothing, the sultan immediately ordered his horse to be brought. As soon as it came, he rode away to Aladdin's palace. When he arrived there, he dismounted at the foot of the flight of stairs that led to the hall of the twenty-four windows. Aladdin happened to be in the hall, and had just time to receive the sultan at the door.
"Without giving Aladdin time to chide him for not sending word of his intention to pay him a visit, and thus causing him to appear deficient in the respect he owed him, the sultan said: 'I have come, my son, purposing to ask why you wished to leave this very rare and magnificent hall in an unfinished state?'
"Aladdin dissembled the true reason, namely, that the sultan was not sufficiently rich in jewels to go to the necessary expense. But to let the monarch see how the palace itself surpassed not only his, but also every other palace in the whole world, since he was unable to finish even a very small part of it, Aladdin replied: ‘It is true, great king, that your majesty did behold this saloon unfinished; but I entreat you to look again, and tell me if at this moment there is anything wanting?'
"The sultan immediately went to the window where he had observed the unfinished lattice, but when he saw it was like the rest, he could hardly believe his eyes. When he was convinced that the lattice upon which his people had so long employed themselves, and which had cost the jewellers and goldsmiths so many days, was now suddenly finished, he embraced Aladdin, and kissed him between the eyes. 'My dear son,' he cried, in astonishment, 'what a man you are, who can do such wonderful things almost instantaneously! There is not your equal in the world.'
"Aladdin received the sultan's praises with great modesty, and made the following reply: 'O king, it is my greatest glory to deserve the kindness and approbation of your majesty.'
"The sultan returned to his palace in the way he had come, and found the grand vizier waiting his arrival. Full of admiration at the wonders which he had witnessed, the sultan related everything to his minister in such terms that the vizier did not doubt for a moment the accuracy of the sultan's account. But this still more confirmed him in the belief which he already entertained, that the palace of Aladdin had been built by enchantment. He attempted to repeat his suspicions, but the sultan interrupted him with these words: 'O vizier, you have before said the same thing; but I very plainly perceive you have not forgotten the marriage of my daughter, the Princess Badroulboudour, with your son.'
"The grand vizier clearly saw that the sultan was prejudiced. He did not, therefore, attempt to enter into any dispute with him, but suffered him to retain his own opinion.
"Aladdin did not remain shut up in his palace, but took care to make a progress through different parts of the city at least once every week. Sometimes he went to attend prayers at various mosques; at others to visit the grand vizier, who regularly came on stated days under pretence of paying his court; and sometimes he honoured with his presence the houses of the principal nobles, whom he frequently entertained at his own palace. Whenever he went out, he ordered two of the slaves who attended him as he rode to throw handsful of gold in the streets through which he passed, and where the people always collected in crowds to see him.
"Aladdin so arranged his different occupations, that not a week elapsed in which he did not once, at least, enjoy the diversion of the chase. Sometimes he hunted in the neighbourhood of the city, and at others he went to a greater distance; and he gave proofs of his liberality in every town and village through which he passed. His generous disposition made the people load him with blessings; and it became the common custom to swear by his head. Indeed, Aladdin, in a short time, won the regard and affection of all classes, and, generally speaking, he was more beloved than even the sultan himself. To all his good qualities he joined a great degree of valour and an ardent desire for the good of the state. He had an opportunity of giving the strongest proofs of his patriotism in a revolt that took place on the confines of the kingdom. So soon as he became aware that the sultan meant to levy an army to quell the insurrection, he requested to have the command of the expedition. This he had no difficulty in obtaining. He instantly put himself at the head of his troops to march against the rebels, and conducted the whole enterprise with so much judgment and activity, that the sultan had the news of the defeat, punishment, and dispersion of his enemies quite as soon as he heard of the arrival of the army at its point of destination. This action, which made Aladdin's name celebrated throughout the whole extent of the empire, did not in the least alter his disposition. He returned victorious, but as affable and modest as ever.
"Many years passed, and Aladdin still continued by his own good conduct to advance in popularity; but during this period the African Magician, who had unintentionally procured for him the means by which he was raised to his exalted situation, frequently thought in Africa, whither he had returned, of the poor lad he had duped. Although he was well persuaded that Aladdin had met a miserable death in the subterranean cavern where he had left him, he nevertheless thought it advisable to gain certainty on the subject. As he had a complete knowledge of the science of astrology, he sat down on the sofa and placed a square instrument before him. He uncovered it, and after making the sand with which it was filled quite smooth and even, he arranged the points, drew the figures, and formed Aladdin's horoscope, with the view of discovering whether he had died in the subterranean cave. On examining it, in order to form his judgment, instead of finding Aladdin dead in the cave, he discovered that the youth had escaped out of it, that he was living in the greatest splendour, and that he had married a princess.
"When the magician learned by his diabolical art that Aladdin was in the enjoyment of these honours, the blood rushed into his face. 'This miserable son of a tailor,' he exclaimed, in a rage, 'has discovered the secret and virtues of the lamp! I thought his death certain; but I find he enjoys all the fruits of my long and laborious exertions. I will prevent his enjoying them long, or perish in the attempt!' The magician soon made up his mind as to the method he should pursue. Early the next morning he mounted a Barbary horse which he had in his stable, and began his journey. Travelling without stopping longer than was necessary to rest his horse, he at last arrived in China, and soon reached the capital where the sultan lived whose daughter Aladdin had married. He alighted at a public khan, and remained there in order to recover from the fatigue of his journey.
"The first step the African Magician took the next morning towards fulfilling his enterprise was to inquire in what repute Aladdin stood, and to ascertain how the people spoke of him. In walking about the city, he went into one of the most frequented and most celebrated houses of entertainment, where people of the greatest consequence and distinction assembled to drink a warm beverage of which he had himself partaken when he was there before. He accordingly seated himself, and an attendant poured some into a cup, and presented it to him. As he took the cup, he heard some persons speaking of Aladdin's palace. When he had finished, he approached those who were conversing on that subject, and taking his opportunity, he inquired what was the peculiar feature of this palace of which they spoke so highly. 'Surely you must be a total stranger,' said one of those to whom he addressed himself, 'and you can have arrived but lately in this city, if you have not seen or even heard of the palace of Prince Aladdin;' for by this title Aladdin, since his union with the Princess Badroulboudour, had always been called. 'I do not say,' continued the speaker, 'that it is one of the wonders of the world, but I maintain it is the greatest wonder of the world. Nothing so rich, so grand, or so magnificent has ever been seen. Only behold it, and you will acknowledge that I have spoken nothing but the truth.' 'Pardon my ignorance, I beseech you,' replied the magician; 'I arrived here only yesterday, and I have come from a great distance, even from the farthest part of Africa; the fame of this marvel had not reached that spot when I left it. I was, therefore, quite ignorant of what you have been telling me. I shall not, however, fail to go and see this palace. My impatience, indeed, is so great, that I would at once proceed to satisfy my curiosity if you would do me the favour to show me the way.'
"The person to whom the magician addressed himself was quite willing to point out to him the way he should go in order to see Aladdin's palace, and he and the magician immediately set out. When the magician arrived at the spot, and had accurately examined the palace on all sides, he felt fully convinced that Aladdin had availed himself of the power of the lamp in building it. He was quite aware how impossible it would be for Aladdin, the son of a tailor, to raise such a structure; but he well knew it was in the power of the genii, the slaves of the lamp, to produce such wonders -and this wonderful lamp he had once almost gained! Stung to the very soul by this evidence of the fortune and greatness of Aladdin, he determined at all hazards to obtain possession of the lamp which had wrought all these wonders.
"His first object was to discover the whereabouts of the lamp-whether Aladdin carried it about with him, or where he kept it; and this discovery he was able to make by a certain operation in geomancy. As soon, therefore, as he got back to his lodging, he took his square box and his sand. His magic art informed him that the lamp was in Aladdin's palace, and his joy was so great on ascertaining this that he could hardly contain himself. 'I shall get this lamp,' he cried, 'and I defy Aladdin to prevent my having it; and I will fling him back into that native obscurity and poverty from which he has taken so high a leap.'
"It happened, most unfortunately for Aladdin, that he was absent upon a hunting expedition. This excursion was to last eight days, and only three of them had elapsed. Of this the magician got information in the following way. When he had finished the operation whose result had afforded him so much joy, he went to see the master of the khan where he had taken up his abode, and beginning to converse with him, soon turned the talk into the desired channel. He told him that he had just returned from the palace of Aladdin; and after giving him an enthusiastic account of all the remarkable and surprising things he had seen he continued: 'My curiosity goes still further, and I shall not be satisfied till I have seen the fortunate owner of this wonderful building.' 'That will not be at all a difficult matter,’ replied the keeper of the khan, 'for hardly a day passes without affording you an opportunity of seeing him when he is at home; but he has been gone these three days on a grand hunting party, which is to last for some days longer.’
"The magician did not want to know more: he hurriedly took leave of the master of the khan, and returned to his own apartment. 'This is the time for action,' said he to himself, 'and I must not let the opportunity escape.' He then went to the shop of a man who made and sold lamps. 'I want,' said he to the manufacturer, 'a dozen copper lamps.' The man replied that he had not quite so many in his shop, but if his customer would wait till the next day he would have them ready for him. The magician agreed to wait. He desired the dealer to be careful and have them very well polished.
"The next morning the magician received the twelve lamps, and paid the price demanded without asking for any abatement. He put them into a basket, which he had provided for the purpose, and went with this on his arm to the neighbourhood of Aladdin's palace. Here he walked to and fro, crying with a loud voice: 'Who will exchange old lamps for new ones?' As he continued thus calling, the children who were at play in the open square heard him. They ran and collected round him, hooting at him, as they took him for a madman. All who passed laughed at his apparent folly. 'That man,' said they, 'must surely have lost his senses, to offer to exchange new lamps for old ones.'
"The magician was not at all surprised at the shouts of the children, nor at the ridicule with which he was assailed. He seemed only intent on disposing of his merchandise, and continued to cry: 'Who will exchange old lamps for new ones?' He repeated this so often, while he walked to and fro on all sides of the palace, that at last the Princess Badroulboudour, who was in the saloon of the twenty-four windows, heard his voice; but as she could not distinguish what he said, she sent one of her female slaves to ascertain what was the reason of all the noise and bustle.
"The slave presently returned, and entered the saloon laughing very heartily. 'Well, thou silly one,' said the princess, 'why do you not tell me what you are laughing at?' 'O princess,' replied the slave, 'who can possibly help laughing at seeing yonder fool with a basket on his arm full of beautiful new lamps, which he will not sell, but offers to exchange for old ones.'
"Another of the female slaves hereupon said: 'Now you speak of old lamps, I know not whether the princess has noticed one that stands on the cornice; whoever the owner may be, he will not be very much displeased at finding a new lamp instead of that old one. If the princess will give me leave, she may have the pleasure of trying whether this fellow is fool enough to give me a new lamp for an old one.'
"This lamp of which the slave spoke was the very wonderful lamp which had been the cause of Aladdin's great success and fortune, and he had himself placed it upon the cornice, before he went to the chase, for fear of losing it. Except when he hunted, Aladdin always carried the lamp about him. His precaution, it may be said, was certainly insufficient, for he should have locked the lamp up.
"The princess, who was ignorant of the value of the lamp and of its importance both to Aladdin and to herself, consented to make the trial, and ordered an eunuch to go and get it exchanged. The eunuch accordingly went down from the saloon, and no sooner came out of the palace gate than he perceived the magician. He immediately called to him, and when he came showed him the old lamp, and said: 'Give me a new lamp for this.'
"The magician at once conjectured that this was the lamp he was seeking; because he thought there would not be any other such lamp in Aladdin's palace, where everything of the kind was of gold or silver. He eagerly took the lamp from the eunuch, and after having thrust it as far as he could into his bosom he presented his basket, and bade him take which he liked best. The eunuch chose one, and carried the new lamp to the princess.
"The magician at once stole quietly to a distance, ceased his calling, and no longer invited people to exchange old lamps for new ones.
"As soon as he had traversed the square between the two palaces, he went through the most unfrequented streets, and as he had no further occasion either for his purchased lamps or his basket, he put his load down in the middle of a street where he thought himself unobserved. He then made all the haste he could to get to one of the gates of the city. When he was at last in the open country, he turned down a by-road, and here he remained till he thought a good opportunity occurred to execute the design he had in view.
"The magician passed the remainder of the day in that retired spot, lingering there until the night was far advanced. He then drew the lamp out of his bosom, and rubbed it. The genie instantly obeyed the summons. 'What are thy commands?' cried the genie 'I am ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of those who have the lamp in their hands, both I, and the other slaves of the lamp.' 'I command you,' replied the magician,' instantly to take the palace which you and the other slaves of the lamp have erected in this city; take it, exactly as it is, with everything in it, both dead and alive, and transport it, and me also, into the utmost confines of Africa.' Without making any answer the genie, assisted by the other slaves of the lamp, took him and the whole palace, and transported both to the spot he had pointed out.
"Having thus seen the African Magician, the Princess Badroulboudour, and Aladdin's palace transported to Africa, let us notice what happened in the sultan's capital.
"When that monarch rose the next morning, he did not fail to go as usual to his cabinet and look out, that he might have the pleasure of contemplating and admiring Aladdin's palace. He cast his eyes in the direction where he was accustomed to see it, but saw only the open space that had been there before the palace was built. He thought he must be deceived. He rubbed his eyes, but still he could see nothing more than at first. His astonishment was so great that he remained for some time rooted to the spot. He could by no means comprehend in what manner so large a place should so suddenly and completely vanish that not the smallest vestige remained. 'I cannot be deceived,' he said to himself; 'it was in this very place that I beheld it. If it had fallen down, the materials at least would lie strewn around; and if the earth had swallowed it up, we should perceive some marks of the devastation.' The sultan returned to his apartment, and ordered the grand vizier to be summoned.
"The grand vizier quickly obeyed the sultan's call. He came, indeed, in so much haste, that neither he nor his attendants observed, as they passed, that the palace of Aladdin was no longer where it had stood.
"'O great king,' said the grand vizier, 'the eagerness and haste with which your majesty has sent for me leads me to suppose that something very extraordinary has happened.' 'What has happened is indeed very extraordinary,' replied the sultan. 'Tell me, where is Aladdin's palace?' 'I have just now passed it,' replied the vizier, with the utmost surprise, 'and it seemed to me to be where it stood before.' 'Go into my cabinet,' answered the sultan, 'and come and tell me if you can see the palace.'
"The grand vizier went as he was ordered, and was as much amazed as the sultan had been. When he was quite sure that the palace of Aladdin had really disappeared, he returned to the sultan. 'Tell me,' demanded the latter, 'have you seen Aladdin's palace?' 'Your majesty may remember,' replied the grand vizier, 'that I had the honour to tell you that this palace was the work of magic; but your majesty did not think fit to give heed to my words.'
"The sultan, who could not deny the former representations of the grand vizier, was the more angry against Aladdin, because he was also unable to answer the vizier's words. 'Where is this impostor, this wretch?' he exclaimed, 'that I may strike off his head.' 'It is some days since he came to take leave of your majesty,' answered the grand vizier; 'we must send to him, to inquire about the disappearance of his palace: he cannot be ignorant of it.' 'This would be treating him with too great indulgence I' exclaimed the monarch. 'Go, and order thirty of my horsemen to bring him before me in chains.' The grand vizier instantly gave the order, and instructed the officer how he should prevent Aladdin's escape. The horsemen set out, and met Aladdin, who was returning from the chase, about five or six leagues from the city. The officer, when he first accosted him, declared that the sultan was so impatient to see his son-in-law that he had sent this party of horse out to meet him, and to accompany him on his return.
"Aladdin had not the least suspicion of the true cause that had brought out this detachment of the sultan's guard. He continued hunting on his way home; but when he was within half a league from the city, the soldiers surrounded him, and the officer said: 'Prince Aladdin, it is with the greatest regret that I must inform you of the orders we have received from the sultan. We are to arrest you, and bring you to the palace like a state criminal. We entreat you not to be angry with us for doing our duty.' This declaration astonished Aladdin beyond measure. He felt himself innocent, and asked the officer if he knew of what crime he was accused; but the officer replied that neither he nor his men could give him any information.
"As Aladdin perceived that his own attendants were much inferior in number to the detachment of soldiers, he dismounted, and said to the officer: 'I submit: execute whatever orders you have received. I must, however, declare that I am guilty of no crime either towards the person of the sultan or the state.' His captors immediately put a large and long chain about his neck, binding it tightly round his body, so that he had not the use of his arms. When the officer had put himself at the head of the troop, one of the horsemen took hold of the end of the chain, and dragged forward Aladdin, who was obliged to follow on foot.
"When the guards entered the suburbs, all the people they met, and who saw Aladdin led along in this way like a state criminal, felt sure that he was going to lose his head. As he was generally beloved, some seized sabres, others whatever arms they could find, and those who had no weapons whatever took up stones and tumultuously followed the guards. The soldiers who rode in the rear wheeled about, as if they wished to disperse the crowd, but the people increased so fast in number that the guards thought it better to dissemble, well satisfied if they could conduct Aladdin safe to the palace without his being rescued. In due time they arrived in the open square before the palace, where the soldiers all formed into one line, and faced about to keep off the armed multitude, while the officer and guard who led Aladdin entered the palace.
"Aladdin was brought before the sultan, who waited for him, with the grand vizier by his side, in a balcony; and as soon as the prisoner appeared, the sultan angrily commanded the executioner, who was already present by his orders, to strike off his head, as he wished not to hear a word or any explanation whatever.
"The executioner accordingly seized Aladdin, took off the chain, and after laying down on the ground a large piece of leather stained with the blood of the many criminals he had executed, desired Aladdin to kneel down, and then tied a bandage over his eyes. Then he drew his sabre, and waited only for the sultan's signal, to separate Aladdin's head from his body.
"At that critical instant the grand vizier perceived how the populace, who had overpowered the guards and filled the square, were in the act of scaling the walls of the palace in many places, and had even begun to pull them down in order to open a passage. Before, therefore, the sultan could give the signal for Aladdin's death, he said to him: 'I beseech your majesty to think maturely of what you are going to do. You will run the risk of having your palace torn to the ground; and if this misfortune should happen, the consequences cannot but be dreadful.' 'My palace torn down!' replied the sultan, 'who will dare attempt it?' 'If your majesty will cast your eyes towards the walls yonder,' observed the vizier, 'you will acknowledge the truth of what I say.'
"When the sultan saw the eager and violent commotion among the people, his fear was very great. He instantly ordered the executioner to sheathe his sabre, to take the bandage off Aladdin's eyes, and set him at liberty. He also commanded an officer to proclaim that he pardoned Aladdin, and that every one might retire.
"As all those who had mounted on the walls of the palace could see what occurred in the sultan's cabinet, they gave over their design and almost directly descended; and highly delighted at having thus been the means of saving the life of one whom they really loved, they instantly published this news to those that were near them, and it quickly spread among all the populace. The justice the sultan had thus rendered Aladdin by pardoning him, disarmed the populace and quieted the tumult, so that presently every one returned home.
"When Aladdin found himself at liberty, he lifted up his head towards the balcony, and perceiving the sultan there, he addressed him with the most pathetic gestures. 'I entreat your majesty,' he said, ‘to add a new favour to the pardon you have just granted me by informing me of my crime!' ' Thy crime, O perfidious wretch!' replied the sultan, 'dost thou not know it? Come up hither, and I will show thee.'
"Aladdin ascended to the terrace, and when he presented himself, the sultan walked on before, saying: ' Follow me.' He led the way to the cabinet that opened towards the place where Aladdin's palace had stood. When they came to the door, 'Enter here,' the sultan said: 'assuredly you ought to know where your own palace is. Look around, and tell me what has become of it.' Aladdin looked, but saw nothing. He perceived the space which his palace had lately occupied; but as he could not conceive how it had disappeared, this extraordinary event so confused and astonished him, that he could not answer the sultan a single word. 'Tell me,' said the latter, 'where is your palace, and what has become of my daughter?' 'O mighty king,' replied Aladdin, 'I plainly see and must acknowledge that the palace which I built is no longer in the place where it stood. I see it has disappeared; but I can assure your majesty that I had no share whatever in removing it.'
"'I care not what has become of your palace; that gives me no concern,' replied the sultan; ' I esteem my daughter a million times beyond your palace; and unless you discover and bring her back to me, be assured that your head shall answer for it.' 'Great king,' said Aladdin, 'I entreat your majesty to grant me forty days to make the most diligent inquiries; and if I do not, within that period, succeed in my search, I give you my promise that I will lay my head at the foot of your throne, that you may dispose of me according to your pleasure.' 'I grant your request,' answered the sultan; 'but think not to abuse my favour, nor endeavour to escape my resentment. In whatever part of the world you are, I shall know how to find you.'
"Aladdin then left the sultan's presence, in the deepest humiliation. He passed, with downcast eyes, through the courts of the palace, and the principal officers of the court, not one of whom he had ever offended, instead of coming to console him or offer him a retreat at their house, turned their backs upon him, alike unwilling to make it appear that they saw him, or that he should recognize them. His mind seemed unhinged by his great calamity; and of this he gave evident proofs when he was out of the palace; for without thinking of what he did, he asked at every door, and of all he met, if they had seen his palace, or could give him any in intelligence concerning it.
"These questions made every one think that Aladdin had lost his senses. Some even laughed at him; but those who had been on friendly terms with him compassionated him most sincerely. He remained three days in the city, eating only what was given him in charity, and unable to come to any decision.
"At length, as Aladdin could not in his wretched condition remain any longer in a city where he had hitherto lived in splendour, he departed and bent his steps towards the country. He soon turned out of the high road, and after walking a great distance in the most dreadful state of mind, he came, towards the close of day, to the bank of a river. He now gave himself up entirely to despair. 'Whither shall I go to seek my palace?' he murmured to himself. 'In what part of the world shall I find either my dwelling, or my dear princess? Never shall I be able to succeed! It is much better, then, that I at once put an end to the woes that distract me.' He was going to throw himself into the river in pursuance of this resolution, but being faithful to his religion, he thought he ought not to quit life without first repeating his prayers. In performing this ceremony, he went close to the bank to wash his face and hands, as was the custom of his country; but as this spot was rather steep, he slipped down, and would have fallen into the river had he not been stopped by a piece of stone, or rock, that projected about two feet from the surface. Happy was it for him, too, that he still had on his finger the ring which the magician had given him when he made him go down into the subterranean cavern to bring away the precious lamp which had so nearly been buried with him. In grasping at the piece of rock, he rubbed the ring strongly, and the same genie instantly appeared whom he had before seen in the subterranean cavern. 'What are thy commands?' cried the genie.
"Aladdin was most agreeably surprised by the sight of this unexpected succour that came to him in his despair. He directly replied: 'Save my life, genie, a second time, by informing me where the palace is which I have built, or by replacing it where it was.' 'What you require of me,' answered the genie, 'is beyond my power; I am only the slave of the ring; you must address yourself to the slave of the lamp.' 'If that be the case then,' said Aladdin, 'at least transport me to the spot where my palace is, let it be in what part of the world it will; and place me under the window of the Princess Badroulboudour.' So soon as he said this, the genie took him up, and transported him to Africa, in the neighbourhood of a great city. In the midst of a large meadow in which the palace stood, he set him down directly under the windows of the apartment of the princess, and there left him.
"Notwithstanding the darkness of the night, Aladdin very readily recognized both his own palace and the apartment of the princess; but as the night was far advanced, and everything in the palace was still, he retired from before it, and seated himself at the foot of a tree. Full of hope, and reflecting on the good fortune which chance had procured him, he felt more calm and collected than he had been since he was arrested by the sultan's order, and placed in such imminent peril.
"The next morning, as soon as the sun appeared above the horizon, Aladdin was most agreeably awakened by the songs of the birds, which had perched for the night upon the tree under which he lay and also among the other thick trees in the garden of his palace. He feasted his eyes upon the beautiful building, and felt an inexpressible joy at the thought of being again master of it, and once more possessing his dear princess. He got up and approached the apartment of the Princess Badroulboudour. He walked to and fro under the window, waiting till she rose, in hopes that she might observe him. While he thus waited he tried to conjecture what could have been the cause of his misfortune; and after reflecting for some time, he felt convinced that this mishap arose from his having left his lamp about. He accused himself of negligence and carelessness in allowing the lamp to be out of his possession a single moment. He was, however, at a loss to conjecture who could be so jealous of his happiness. He would at once have understood the case if he had known that both he and his palace were in Africa; but the slave of the ring had not informed him of this fact. The very name of Africa would have brought to his recollection his declared enemy, the magician.
"The Princess Badroulboudour rose that morning much earlier than she had risen since she had been transported into Africa by the artifice of the magician, whose hated presence she was compelled to endure once every day, as he was master of the palace; but she constantly treated him so disdainfully that he had never yet had the boldness to remain there long. When she was dressed, one of her women, looking through the lattice, perceived Aladdin, and instantly ran and told her mistress who was there. The princess, who could scarcely believe the fact, immediately went to the window and saw him herself. She opened the lattice, and at the noise she made Aladdin raised his head. He saluted her with every demonstration of joy. 'Lose not a moment!' cried the princess: 'they are gone to open the secret door. Come to me instantly.' She then shut the lattice.
"This secret door was directly below the apartment of the princess. It was opened, and Aladdin entered his wife's apartment. It is impossible to express the joy they both felt at this meeting, after having concluded they were for ever separated. They embraced over and over again and gave way to transports of the tenderest affection. At length Aladdin said: 'Before you speak of anything else, my princess, tell me, in the name of Heaven, what has become of that old lamp, which I placed upon the cornice of the saloon of the twenty-four windows, before I went on the hunting party?' 'Alas! my dear husband,' replied the princess, 'I greatly fear that our misfortunes are connected with that lamp; and what the more distresses me is, that it was I who meddled with it.' 'Do not, my beautiful princess,' resumed Aladdin, 'attribute any fault to yourself; I only am to blame, for I ought to have been more careful in preserving it. But let us only think of how we may regain it; and for this purpose inform me, I beg of you, of everything that has happened, and tell me into whose hands the lamp has fallen.'
"The princess then gave Aladdin an account of all that had happened relative to the exchange of the old lamp for a new one. Then she told him how, on the following night, she had felt that the palace was flying through the air, and had found herself the next morning in the unknown country where she now was. She told him that this country was Africa, a fact she had learnt from the traitor who by his magic art had transported her thither.
"'O princess,' replied Aladdin, interrupting her, 'in telling me that we are in Africa, you have at once unmasked the wretch who has betrayed us. He is the most infamous of men. But this is neither the time nor the place to enter into a detail of his crimes. I entreat you only to tell me what he has done with the lamp and where he has put it.' 'He constantly carries it wrapped up in his bosom,' replied the princess: 'I am sure of this, because he once took it out in my presence, showing it as a sort of trophy.'
"'Do not be offended, my princess,' resumed Aladdin, ‘at the questions I put to you; they are of the highest importance to us both. But to come at once to the point that most interests me, tell me, I conjure you, how have you been treated by this infamous wretch.' 'Since I have been in this place,' answered the princess, 'he has presented himself before me only once each day; and I am convinced that the disdain with which I have received his visits makes him repeat them less often. He has on many occasions tried to persuade me to be faithless to you, and to take him for my husband; striving to convince me that I ought never to expect to see you again; asserting that you were no longer alive, and that the sultan my father had caused your head to be cut off. He tried, moreover, to prove to me that you were an ungrateful wretch, and said that you owed all your good fortune to him. But he never had any answer from me but complaints and tears, and was therefore obliged to retire. I feel certain, nevertheless, that he means to suffer my first affliction to subside, with the hope and expectation that I shall change my mind with respect to him. What might have been the result of my continued resistance I know not; but your presence, my dear husband, at once dissipates all my fears.'
"'My princess,' interrupted Aladdin, 'I trust I am not deceived when I tell you I have discovered the means of delivering you from our enemy. For this purpose, however, I must go into the town; I will return about noon, and communicate to you the nature of my design. Let me, however, warn you not to be astonished if you see me return in a disguise; and be sure you give orders that I may not be kept waiting at the private door, but cause me to be admitted the instant I knock.' The princess promised that a slave should be ready to open the door on his arrival.
"When Aladdin left the palace he looked about on all sides, and at last discovered a peasant, who was going into the country. Aladdin hastened to overtake him; and when he came up with the peasant, proposed that they should exchange clothes, accompanying his offer with such a gift that the peasant readily agreed. The exchange was effected, and Aladdin took the road that led to the town. When he got there he went into a lane appropriated to druggists, and entering the shop which appeared the best supplied, he asked the owner if he could sell him a certain powder.
"The merchant, who, from Aladdin's dress, conceived that his customer had not money enough to pay for the powder, replied that he kept it, but that it was very dear. Aladdin readily divined what was passing in the dealer's mind; he therefore took out his purse, and showing him the gold it contained, desired to have half a dram of the powder. The merchant weighed it, wrapped it up, and, giving it to Aladdin, demanded a piece of gold as the price. Aladdin immediately paid him, and without stopping any longer in the town, returned to the palace. He had no occasion to wait at the secret door. It was instantly opened, and he went up to the apartment of the Princess Badroulboudour. 'My beloved princess,' said Aladdin as soon as he came in, 'the natural aversion you have expressed for this wicked magician may probably occasion you some pain in complying with the instructions I am going to give you. But permit me, in the first place, to tell you that it is absolutely necessary you should dissemble, and even offer some violence to your own feelings, if you wish to be delivered from his persecution, and if the sultan your father is to have the satisfaction of again beholding you.
"'But if you follow my advice,' continued Aladdin, 'you will this moment proceed to attire yourself in one of your most elegant dresses; and when the magician comes, make no difficulty in receiving him with all the affability you can assume, without appearing to act a part. Try to speak to him with an appearance of frankness, yet still with some remains of grief, which he may easily conceive will soon be entirely dissipated. In your conversation with him give him to understand that you are making the greatest efforts to forget me; and that he may be the more convinced of your sincerity, invite him even to sup with you, and tell him that you wish to taste some of the best wine this country can produce. On hearing this, he will leave you for a time in order to procure some. In his absence, you must go to the sideboard, and put this powder into one of the cups from which you usually drink. Put the cup on one side, and tell one of your women to fill it and bring it to you at a certain signal on which you must agree. On the magician's return, when you are again seated at table, after having eaten and drunk as much as you think proper, make your women bring you the particular goblet in which the powder has been put, and then exchange cups with the magician. He will find the flavour of the wine you give him so excellent that he will not refuse it, but drink up the last drop. Scarcely shall he have emptied the cup when you will see him fall backwards.'
"When Aladdin had thus proposed his plan, the princess answered: ' I must confess that I shall do great violence to my own feelings in agreeing to make these advances to the magician, although I am aware they are absolutely necessary. But what would I not resolve to undertake against such a cruel enemy? I will do as you direct, since your happiness, as well as mine, depends upon it.' Aladdin took his leave, and passed the remainder of the day in the neighbourhood of the palace; and when the night came on, he presented himself at the secret door.
"The princess, who had been inconsolable, not only at her separation from her husband, whom, from the very first, she had loved more through inclination than duty, but also at being separated from the sultan her father, had hitherto completely neglected her personal appearance from the first moment of this distressful separation. She had not felt in spirits to dress with anything like care, particularly since the first visit of the magician, and when she had learnt from her women that he was the person who had exchanged the old lamp for a new one; for, after the infamous deception he had practised, she could not look upon him without horror. But the opportunity of taking that vengeance upon him he so justly deserved, made her resolve to satisfy Aladdin.
"As soon, therefore, as he was gone, she went to her toilet, and made her women dress her in the most becoming manner. She put on some of her richest attire, choosing those ornaments which set off her beauty to the best advantage.
"The magician did not fail to make his appearance at his usual hour. As soon as the princess saw him come into the saloon of the twenty-four windows, where she was waiting to receive him, she rose up in all the splendour of her beauty and her gorgeous array. She pointed to the most honourable seat, and remained standing while he approached it, that she might sit down at the same time with him. Altogether she treated him with a civility she had never before shown him.
"The magician, more dazzled by the splendid lustre of her eyes than by the brilliancy of the jewels she wore, was struck with admiration. Her majestic air, and the gracious manner she put on, so opposite to the disdain he had hitherto met with from her, absolutely confused him.
"When he had taken his seat, the princess, in order to free him from the embarrassment which oppressed him, looked at him with an air of kindness which made him suppose she no longer beheld him with the aversion she had till now evinced, and then said to him: 'You are doubtless astonished at seeing me appear to-day so different from what I have been; but you will no longer be surprised at it, when I tell you that my natural disposition is so much averse to grief, melancholy, vexation, and distress, that I endeavour to drive them from me by every means in my power as soon as the cause of them has departed. I have reflected upon what you said respecting the fate of Aladdin, and from the disposition of the sultan my father, which I well know, I agree with you that my late husband could not possibly escape the terrible effects of the sultan's rage. I concluded, therefore, that even if I were to weep and lament for the rest of my life, my tears would not bring Aladdin to life. Accordingly, after having paid him, even to the tomb, every respect and duty which my affection required, I thought I ought at length to admit feelings of comfort and consolation. These are the thoughts which have produced the change you see. In order, then, to drive away all sorrow, and being convinced that you will assist me in these endeavours, I have ordered a supper to be prepared; but as the only wine I have is the produce of China, and as I am now in Africa, I have a great desire to taste what is made here, and I thought that, if there were any good wine to be had, you would be most likely to have the best.'
"The magician, who had never flattered himself that he should so soon and so easily acquire the good graces of the princess, hastened to tell her that he was unable sufficiently to express his sense of her goodness; he adverted to the wine of Africa, and told her that among the many advantages which that country possessed, the principal boast was that of producing excellent wine. He told her he had some wine seven years old that was not yet broached, and it was not saying too much to aver that it surpassed the produce of the whole world. 'If my princess,' added he, 'will permit me, I will go and bring two bottles of this wine, and will return immediately.' 'The longer you are gone, the more impatient shall I be to see you again,' replied the princess: 'remember that we sit down to table on your return.'
"Full of the anticipation of his expected happiness, the magician hastened to bring the wine, and was back almost instantly. The princess felt sure that he would make haste, and therefore at once threw the powder which Aladdin had given her into a goblet, and set it aside until she should call for it. They then sat down opposite to each other, the magician's back being towards the sideboard. The princess helped him with her own hands to what appeared the best on the table, and said to him: 'If you have any inclination for music, I will give you some; but as we are by ourselves, I think conversation will afford us more pleasure.' The magician regarded this speech as a fresh mark of her favour, and was almost intoxicated with delight.
"After they had feasted for some little time, the princess called for wine, and drank to the magician's health. 'You are right,' she cried, when she had drunk, 'in praising your wine; I have never tasted any so delicious.' 'O charming princess,' replied the magician, holding in his hand the goblet they had given him, ' my wine acquires a fresh flavour by the approbation you have bestowed upon it.' 'Drink to my health,' resumed the princess; 'you must confess I can appreciate good wine.' He did as she ordered him.
"When they had continued eating some time longer, and had taken three cups each, the princess, who had most completely fascinated the magician, gave the signal to her woman to bring some wine, at the same time desiring her to bring her a goblet full, and also to fill the cup of the magician. When they had received the goblets, 'I know not,' the princess said to the magician, 'what is your custom here, when two good friends drink together as we are doing now. At home in China, the gentleman presents his own goblet to the lady, who at the same time presents hers to the gentleman, and the lovers then drink to each other's health.' With these words she presented to her companion the goblet she held, and put out her other hand to receive his. The magician hastened to make the exchange, with which he was the more delighted as he looked upon this favour as the surest token that he had made an entire conquest of the heart of the princess; and this thought completed his happiness. 'O lovely princess,' he exclaimed, holding the goblet in his hand before he drank, 'never shall I forget that in drinking out of your goblet I have regained that life which your cruelty, had it continued, would most infallibly have destroyed.'
"The Princess Badroulboudour was almost worn out with the magician's absurd and tiresome compliments. 'Drink,' she cried, interrupting him, 'you may then say what you please to me.' At the same time she carried the goblet she held to her mouth, but barely suffered it to touch her lips, while the magician emptied his to the last drop. In draining the cup, he held his head quite back, and remained in that position till the princess, who kept the goblet to her lips, observed that his eyes were turned up, and presently he fell upon his back dead, without the least struggle.
"The princess had no occasion to order her people to go and open the secret door to admit Aladdin. Her women, who were stationed at different parts of the staircase, gave the word one to the other from the saloon; so that directly after the African Magician had fallen backwards, the door was opened.
"Aladdin went up to the saloon; and as soon as he saw the African Magician extended on the sofa, he stopped Princess Badroulboudour, who had risen to congratulate him on the joyful event. 'My princess,' he cried, 'there is at this moment no time for rejoicing. Do me the favour to retire to your apartment, and to leave me alone, while I prepare to carry you back to China as quickly as you departed thence.' So soon as the princess, her women, and the eunuchs had quitted the hall, Aladdin shut the door; and then going up to the body of the African Magician, he opened his vest, and took out the lamp, which was wrapped up exactly in the manner the princess had described. He took it out and rubbed it. The genie instantly presented himself, and made his usual profession of service. ‘O genie,' said Aladdin, 'I have called you, to command you in the name of this lamp, your mistress, immediately to take this palace, and transport it to the same spot in China whence it was brought.' The genie testified his obedience by an inclination of his head, and forthwith vanished. The journey was made immediately, and only two slight shocks were perceptible; one, when the palace was taken up from the place where it stood in Africa, and the other when it was set down in China, opposite to the sultan's palace: and this was all the work of an instant.
"Aladdin then went down to the apartment of the Princess Badroulboudour. 'O my princess,' he exclaimed, embracing her, 'our joy will be complete by to-morrow morning. As the princess had not finished her supper, and as Aladdin was greatly in want of refreshment, she ordered the attendants to bring the banquet from the saloon of the twenty-four windows, where the supper had been served. The princess and Aladdin drank together, and found the old wine of the magician most excellent. Then, full of the pleasure of this meeting, they retired to their apartment.
"Since the disappearance of Aladdin's palace, and the loss of the Princess Badroulboudour, whom he did not hope to see again, the sultan had been inconsolable. He slept neither night nor day; and instead of avoiding everything that could increase his affliction, he, on the contrary, cherished every thought that was likely to remind him of it. Thus not only did he go every morning to the cabinet to indulge his grief by gazing on the spot where the vanished palace had stood, but he went several times during the day to renew his tears. The sun had not yet risen when the sultan entered his cabinet as usual on the very morning on which Aladdin's palace had been brought back to its place. When he first came in his mind was so much absorbed by his own feelings, and so penetrated with sorrow, that he cast his eyes towards the accustomed spot with the expectation of beholding nothing but a vacant space. But when he first found this void filled up, he conjectured that it was only a deluding vision. He then looked with greater attention, and at length could no longer doubt that it was the palace of Aladdin which he saw. Grief and sorrow were succeeded in his heart by the most delightful sensations of joy. He instantly ordered his attendants to saddle him a horse. Directly it came he mounted it and rode away, thinking he could not arrive soon enough at Aladdin's palace.
"Aladdin, who conjectured that such a thing might happen, had risen at daybreak; and as soon as he had dressed himself in one of his most magnificent robes, he went up to the hall of the twenty-four windows. Looking through the casement he perceived the sultan as he came along. He descended, and was just in time to receive the monarch at the foot of the grand staircase, 'O Aladdin cried the sultan, 'I cannot speak to you till I have seen and embraced my dear daughter.'
"Aladdin accordingly conducted the sultan to the apartment of the princess, whom Aladdin had informed when he rose that she was no longer in Africa, but in China, at the capital of the sultan her father, and close to his palace. She had just finished dressing when the sultan entered. He eagerly embraced her, bathing her face with his tears, while the princess, on her part, showed the greatest delight at again beholding him. For some time the sultan could not utter a syllable, so great was his emotion at recovering his daughter, while the princess shed tears of joy at the sight of her beloved father. 'My dear daughter,' exclaimed the sultan 'I am glad to perceive that the joy you feel at again seeing me makes you appear so little changed that no one would imagine what sorrows you have had. No one could have been suddenly transported with a whole palace, as you have been, without feeling the greatest alarm and most dreadful anxiety. Relate to me every circumstance exactly as it happened, and do not conceal anything from me.'
"The princess felt a pleasure in satisfying the affectionate curiosity of the sultan. 'O my father,' said she, 'if I appear so little altered, I beg your majesty to consider that my expectations and hopes were raised yesterday morning by the appearance of my dear husband and liberator, Aladdin, whom I had till then mourned as for ever lost to me. The happiness I experienced in again embracing him restored me to my former state. Strictly speaking, my whole sorrow consisted in finding myself torn from your majesty and my husband; not only out of my affection for him, but lest he should perish from the dreadful effects of your majesty's rage, to which I did not doubt that he would be exposed, however innocent he might be; and no one could be less guilty than he in this matter. Aladdin himself had not the least share in my removal, of which I was alone the cause, although the innocent one.'
"To convince the sultan that she spoke the truth, the princess gave him a detailed account of how the African Magician had disguised himself like a seller of lamps, and offered to exchange new lamps for old ones. She related the jest she had intended to practise in exchanging Aladdin's lamp, the important and secret qualities of which she did not know. Then she told of the instant removal of the palace and herself in consequence of this exchange, and their being transported into Africa with the magician himself, who had been recognized by two of her women and also by the eunuch who had made the exchange, and she spoke of the proposal he made to marry her. She then informed him of the persecution she continued to suffer until the arrival of Aladdin; of the measures they conjointly took to get possession of the lamp which the magician constantly carried about him; in what manner they had succeeded with everything that happened till she presented to him the goblet in which she had privately put the powder Aladdin had given her. 'With respect to the rest,' added she, 'I leave Aladdin to inform you of it.'
"Aladdin had but little to add to this account. 'When they opened the private door, he said, 'I immediately went up to the hall of the twenty-four windows and saw the traitor lying dead on the sofa from the effects of the powder. As it was not proper that the princess should remain there any longer, I requested her to go to her apartment with her women and eunuchs. When I was alone I took the lamp out of the magician's bosom and made use of the same secret he had employed to remove the palace and steal away the princess. I have brought the palace back to its place, and have had the happiness of restoring the princess to your majesty as you commanded me. I have not deceived your majesty in this matter; and if you will take the trouble to go up to the saloon you will see the magician has been punished as he deserved.'
"In pursuance of this invitation the sultan rose and went up; and when he had seen the dead body of the magician, whose face had already become livid from the strength of the poison, he embraced Aladdin with the greatest tenderness. ‘Do not be angry with me, my son,' cried he, 'for having used you harshly; paternal affection drove me to it, and I deserve to be pardoned for my fault, in consideration of the cause.' 'O great king,' replied Aladdin, 'I have not the least reason to complain of your majesty's conduct; you have done only what was your duty. This magician was the sole cause of my disgrace. When your majesty has leisure to hear me, I will give you an account of another piece of treachery, not less infamous than this, which he practised towards me, from which the peculiar providence of Heaven has preserved me.' 'I will take care to find an opportunity,' said the sultan, 'and that quickly. But let us now only think of rejoicing in this happy change.'
"Aladdin ordered that the magician's body should be thrown out as a prey for the beasts and birds. In the meantime the sultan had a festival of ten days' continuance proclaimed in honour of the return of the Princess Badroulboudour and Aladdin, and of the restoration of the palace.
" It was thus that Aladdin a second time escaped an almost inevitable death.
"A few years after, the sultan died at a good old age, and as he left no male issue, the Princess Badroulboudour succeeded to the throne as his legitimate heir, and of course shared the supreme power with Aladdin. They reigned together many years and left an illustrious and numerous posterity.
"O great king," said the Sultana Scheherazade, when she had finished the account of the adventures of Aladdin with the wonderful lamp, "your majesty has doubtless remarked in the African Magician the character of a man who has abandoned himself to the inordinate passion of acquiring wealth by the most unjustifiable methods, and one who, though he had the cleverness to gain wealth, was not suffered to enjoy it, because he was unworthy. In Aladdin, on the contrary, you see a man who from the lowest origin rose to a throne, by making use of the treasures which he had accidentally acquired, as they were intended to be used, namely, as means to attain the end he had in view. In the sultan you must have observed that even a good, just and equitable monarch runs the risk of being dethroned when, by an act of injustice, and contrary to every rule of equity, he dares with unreasonable haste to condemn an innocent man without pausing to hear his defence. Your majesty must feel horror, too, at the crimes of the infamous magician, who sacrificed his life in the attempt to acquire treasures, a villain who received the reward due to his crimes.
The Sultan of the Indies gave Scheherazade to understand that he was very much pleased with the marvellous adventures of the fortunate Aladdin, and that the other stories she had each morning told him afforded him equal satisfaction. In fact, these stories were always diverting, and each contained a good lesson. It was very evident that the sultana made them succeed each other so skilfully that the sultan was not sorry to have this excuse for delaying the fulfilment of the oath he had so solemnly taken, namely, to have a wife for but one night, and the next morning to cause her to be put to death. He now only thought whether he should not in the end absolutely exhaust the sultana's store. With this intention, after hearing the conclusion of the history of Aladdin and the Princess Badroulboudour, which was very different from any tale he had yet heard, he even got the start of Dinarzade, and himself awoke the sultana with the inquiry if she had exhausted her supply of tales. ~
"O my lord," replied Scheherazade, smiling at this question, "I have many yet in store: the number of my tales is so great that it would be almost impossible to give your majesty a list of them. But I fear that your majesty will grow tired of hearing me much sooner that I shall want materials to go on with."
"Do not be afraid of that," replied Schahriar, "but let me hear what you have next to relate."
Encouraged by this speech, the sultana immediately began-